Haute Couture does not always have to be an elaborate, over the top piece. Sometimes the beauty of couture lies in the restraint of line and a certain chic  simplicity that hides the hours of handwork put into each piece. This dress is a numbered Haute Couture piece and would have been made by hand in the Paris atelier. The attention to detail shown in every stitch is fabulous. It is a gorgeous dress.

The dress is made from deep burgundy red silk crepe that is an exceptional high end quality and it is this choice of this very high end fabric that helps to give the dress its beautiful lines. The top is cut into a V at the front with slight gathers where it inserts into the shoulders. It is constructed to look like a separate top that floats over the skirt below but it is actually all one piece. Each sleeves is long and poufs out slightly above the fitted cuffs. I love how each cuff is pleated to pick up the pleat work on the skirt. The three silk covered buttons adorn each cuff and each one sits perfectly in the center of each of those pleats. This detail alone is fabulous. The skirt falls from under the edge of the top and it is attached to its own inner silk bodice. This is the proper way to attach a skirt in couture and this helps it to stay perfectly in place once it's on the body. The skirt is fantastic. Each individual pleat is perfectly matched to its neighbor with meticulous precision. When you stand still the dress falls straight and then when you move you get incredible movement and fullness because of the pleats. It is a brilliantly cut dress. Every stitch has been done by hand. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a matching red silk and closes with an inner handset back painted metal zipper and then closes with a second zipper on the outer bodice layer over that. The cuffs snap into place under three silk covered decorative buttons. The Haute Couture label is present with couture tape under the tag numbered 157888. Hand finished to couture standards throughout. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Sleeves: 27"
Shoulders: no true defined seams
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner lining: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 55.5" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD2913

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

When this Balmain debuted it was sold exclusively through Farfetch. That means that very few were produced and it was a very hard dress to get. It immediately sold out and there as only one production run released which has made it a very rare dress to find.  'Welcome to my jungle' said Olivier Rousteing to Vogue that season and went on to say that this was his most personal collection ever. It's twin was worn by supermodel Karlie Kloss to the Balmain after party that season which give you an amazing glimpse of how it looks like once on. It is a very special piece and I love it.

The dress is made from a leopard print silk jersey that is cut supermodel long. The fabric has some weight to it because of the sheer amount of it that there is and this helps to keep the drape and flow of the skirt perfectly in place once on the body. It is cut in a high set halterneck at the front and the fabric there is gathered in vertical folds so that it skims over you. A wide band of black curves around the neck and then down the sides. At the waist it forms a criss cross pattern around the waist that curves around to the sides. At the side of the waist between the black the fabric is again gathered in for detailing. The black bands gives the illusion of a waist cinching corset belt and draws the eye while highlighting the curves between the bodice and that amazing skirt. At the back the dress closes at the nape of the neck with two snaps and both are topped on the exterior of the strap with a gold raised lion head. It scoops into a low curve under that to leave your entire upper back bare. The signature chunky, exposed Balmain zipper sits low at the back. The skirt falls to the floor from there and there are yards and yards of fabric in it. The hem is cut longer at the back so that you have a bit of a train and at the center of the front it is split to the thigh. So when you walk you have this flash of leg showing and when you walk away it is equally as dramatic. It is amazing. It was never worn and is like new. Excellent condition

The dress has a full black stretch jersey inner lining. It closes at the back of the neck with snaps and at the low back waist with a zipper. Tagged a modern Balmain 42.

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 16 " from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 48" from waist to shortest part of the front hem, 65" to the longest part of the back hem
Front slit: 33" from hem to top of slit

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2970

Reference Photos: Karlie Kloss at the Balmain After Party on September 25, 2014 in Paris, France.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.