This is a pale green Balmain gazar gown with a jewelled embroidered panel at the front and a matching jewelled stole.Together with Jacques Fath and Christian Dior, Pierre Balmain was one of the prominent haute couturiers to emerge in post-war France. Prior to opening his own design house in 1945, Balmain apprenticed with couturier Edward Molyneux from 1934 to 1939 and subsequently joined Lucien Lelong from 1939 to 1944, where he was colleagues with Dior. Balmain’s first collection in 1945 had already reflected the New Look style of slim waists and full skirts, although Dior was eventually credited with creating the iconic silhouette in 1947 through his Corolle line. Balmain was credited for popularising the stole as an accessory for both day and evening wear.
