Balenciaga Edition Couture Sapphire Blue Matelassé Princess Seam Evening Coat

Like a princess cut sapphire, this Balenciaga evening coat invites one’s eyes to get lost in the blue. The elusiveness of this quiet Spanish-born designer ran in stark contrast to the bold presence of his clothes. From the Balenciaga Edition line, this coat was one of 12 clothing designs selected for reproduction from the archives of Cristobal Balenciaga's haute couture collections, dating between 1945 and 1967. The Edition line focused on meticulous research of original fabrics and construction, replicating them with current manufacturing techniques. Made from a lustrous blue matelassé, this early 1960s style coat features princess lines at both front and back for structural shaping. Seaming at the front gracefully curves into slit pockets at hip level. The double-breasted opening is secured with articulated blue buttons that carry the texture and mood of the coat fabric. Three-quarter length sleeves are also integrated into the main bodice patterning, forming a kimono sleeve with t