1970s Balestra Roma Alta Moda Haute Couture Silk Chiffon & Fused Glitter Dress

Renato Balestra launched his alta moda, Haute Couture label in Rome in 1951. His work quickly gained international fame and was one of the cornerstone ateliers of the Italian couture 'Alta Moda' movement. On their website they state: 'The Balestra brand blends the mastery of the artisans and the style of the designer to express its vision to the fullest, thanks to hundreds of hours of craftmanship and the highest attention to details.' This is a beautiful example of his work and is in remarkable condition.

The dress is made from a fine silk chiffon that makes it feel feather light. Mixed with that is a fine black silk net that is then fused with a glitter that gives the dress is sparkle and glitz. The bodice is simple and perfect with a crossed over front that plunges into a deep V. There is no backing through the bodice at all and this gives it a semi-sheer transparency. The skirt is cut with a touch of fullness and is lined all through the part where it is the plain black chiffon. It is set so that it appears to wrap and tie around you but this is all created by clever seaming and cutting as it is actually all attached through the waist and then only open under that along the wrapped over edge. The top edges of the bodice and down each side are inset with that black netting. Onto that silk netting the glitter has been fused and this all is laid out in a beautiful and intricate design. The workmanship to attach the netting to the silk chiffon cannot be underplayed as this would have taken hours of meticulous hand work to accomplish. I love the effect of this one on the body. The bottom portion of the skirt picks on this same effect of the tops edging and it is finished with a full 17" panel of that wonderful fused glitter on net technique. I also love how the very bottom edging is finished to follow the pattern of the design and is done in the deep pointed scalloping that you see. A matching, attached silk chiffon sash cinches in the waist for added shape. The couture workmanship is exquisite and the play on transparencies is very sexy. Excellent condition

Unlined through the bodice and fully lined through the skirt from the waist to the top of where the netting begins on the lower skirt. Attached matching silk chiffon sash at the waist. It closes with a series of tiny snaps up the side and has an inner waist stay that closes with hook & eye. Made to haute Couture standards

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 41" from waist to longest points of hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3283

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