A selection from the Balenciaga archives to be sold at auction

On June 10 in Paris, a selection of items from the Spanish couture house's archives will go under the hammer at an auction organized by Millon. Previously, these objects were in the possession of Madame R., one of Cristobal Balenciaga's close collaborators. 

After joining Balenciaga in a temporary role, Madame R. was made a permanent employee at the demand of Cristobal Balenciaga himself, and she remained at the fashion house for the rest of her career. The Spanish couturier turned a corner in 1968, when he presented his final haute couture collection before closing the doors of his fashion house, which was located on the Avenue George-V in Paris. It was then that Madame R. was asked to safeguard certain items from the archives, including dresses, ensembles and other pieces from Balenciaga's workshops.

This collection, which has been added to and maintained since 1968, will be sold at auction this June 10. A total of 150 pieces will go under the hammer, including haute couture gowns designed by the Spanish couturier, as well as gloves, sunglasses, perfumes, powder boxes, chairs used in the brand's workshops, prototypes, advertising sketches, and even a curtain from the studio on the Avenue George-V.

Among the specific items from Madame R.'s collection are a faux two-piece ensemble in wild silk with a plant-inspired print, pistachio cotton piqué shorts and a matching wraparound top, a red terrycloth bathrobe, and flacons of some of the brand's most iconic fragrances ("Dix," "La Fuite des Heures," "Quadrille" and "Eau de Balenciaga").

The "Collection De Madame R.: Archives de la Maison Balenciaga" auction will also include haute couture gowns and accessories by Christian Dior, Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Jean Patou, Pucci and Givenchy. The sale takes place at 5:30pm on June 10 at 3 Rue Rossini in Paris (Salle W).