Pierre Balmain

My desire to take my time and create a well-made garment which will last is clearly greater than my desire to participate in a sewing challenge! The pineapple dress is coming on nicely, but definitely won't be finished for tomorrow's deadline for SewFruity2025. And I'm fine with that. It does, however, leave me in need of a blog post subject. So as this project is the second time that I've taken inspiration from a Pierre Balmain dress, I thought I'd explore some more of his designs.

Balmain to the rescue for bodice ideas

Unusually for the founder of a couture house, the only publication solely about him seems to be his autobiography. Nor could I find any references to exhibitions of his work. In fact, it turned out that viewings at Kerry Taylor Auctions were probably where I had seen his pieces most often.

This circa 1947-48 black wool crepe day/dinner dress was my favourite item in the very first viewing that I went to, back in December 2014.

I still love this

Then of course, a year later I saw the Holly Dress.

The inspiration for my most ambitious project ever

Other pieces I have seen at Kerry Taylor, in date order, are these.

Beaded dress, 1954

Medallions dress, 1955

Tricolour dress, 1955

Wrapped silk dress, 1957

Tricolour dress, late 1950s

I would love to have a go at making most of these. In fact, I have kept all the close-up images of the medallions dress - just in case! However, if I do want a Balmain dress then an easier way of doing it would almost certainly be via one of the Vogue Paris Original patterns which I own.

Vogue Paris Original 2654, 1971

Vogue Paris Original 1857, 1987

Not that I'm short of other projects to do, but that's never stopped me!