Italian couturier Renato Balestra founded his clothing label in 1959 and dressed all of the most famous women of the day. This impressive list included the last Empress of Iran, Farah Diba; Queen Sirikit of Thailand; the First Lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos; and actresses Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall, Ava Gardner, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Natalie Wood together with businesswomen, aristocrats and opera singers. He also created high-end ready to wear collections for the most exclusive American department stores; Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Foley’s, Neiman Marcus and Lord & Taylor. This pretty haute couture dress is one of Balestra’s earlier designs - we believe it dates to the mid to late 1960s. The beautiful silk fabric shows a swirling, painterly pattern of roses in chalky pink and white set against an eye-catching chartreuse green background. The deceptively simple, shift silhouette is cut to appear like a skirt and top from the front. At the back, Balestra’s eye for detail can be understood; the wide neckline gives way to a curved, low back and the top layer of fabric sweeps around from the front, gathered and pleated to meet at the centre of the spine. At the rear, the skirt has soft pleats falling from under this sweeping cloth, adding a jovial kick to the skirt as the wearer walks. The rear is secured by a hidden tonal zip and hook-and-eye clasp. The dress is stunningly lined in apple green silk and features a green grosgrain band inside to secure the waist. The original “Balestra Roma” label is intact.
Haute Couture clothing which is handmade in Italy by members of the Camera Nazionale della Moda is known as Alta Moda. Very few Italian couturiers were well known outside of Italy during this time period and Circa treasures garments such as these in our collection as they represent an important part of Italian fashion heritage. Condition wise, this dress is in superb vintage condition with no issues and looks barely worn. It is made from 100% Silk. There is no composition or size label so please check the measurements below as the fabric has no stretch. We estimate a good fit for sizes up to a UK 10-12 or US 6-8 with a slimmer hip.
MEASUREMENTS
BUST - 36 in (91 cm)
WAIST - 32 in (81 cm)
HIP - 38 in (97 cm)
LENGTH 38 in (97 cm)