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Vintage 1970s Renato Balestra Dress w Coat Italian Couture

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Brand Poppy's Vintage Clothing

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This is a fabulous vintage 1970s Renato Balestra dress made with an accompanying coat. This Renato Balestra dress is made in a sleeveless sheath style in an orange toned goldenrod silk crepe.  It is cut to reveal the shoulders, gathered along the front neckline, which is high to the neck.  The shoulder straps are short in the front and longer in the back in order to reveal the upper back.  The bodice is slit at the front centre, held together by three matching bridges - it extends down to the V shaped waistline.  It is entirely supported by a built-in corset that has stays (see photo).  The silk exterior fabric is backed in white voile silk and there is an orange acetate slip lining.  It does up the back with a nylon zipper.  This Renato Balestra dress is hand finished - this is at least demi-couture. 

The dress is very elegant, Roman goddess-like, but the coat has the wow factor.  The fabric on this Renato Balestra dress coat is made of horizontal bands, the goldenrod matching the dress, while the shocking pink draws the eye and the silver brings the sparkle.  The coat closes with three hooks and eyes at the upper front and a snap and hook at the neck.  The neck is decorated with a matching bow and the coat has a squared collar and short sleeves.  It is lined in a mustard gold silk fabric.  

Label: Renato Balestra Roma.  There is the number 534 hand written on the Renato Balestra dress coat label, possibly indicating haute couture, but I’m not sure.  Balestra has had a long and illustrious career that began in 1954, working for the Rome fashion houses of Emilio Schuberth, Maria Antonelli and Sorelle Fontana.  He opened his own atelier in 1958 and dressed Zsa Zsa Gabor, Tina Louise, Natalie Wood, Linda Christian and Carrol Baker.  His fashion house produced both haute couture and pret-a-porter.  

Sizing: No size is indicated on the label of this Renato Balestra dress, which also says that perhaps this was custom made.  Although this Renato Balestra dress should fit about a US size 6, but please rely on the following measurements for fit:

Renato Balestra dress:

Bust: 33”, taken at the bottom of the arm openings 

Waist: 29”, meant to be cinched with the belt

Hips:  37”

Length: 48 1/2” from the top of the shoulder strap to the hemline

Coat:

Shoulders:  15 1/2” across the shoulder/sleeve seams

Sleeves:  6 1/4” long

Bust: 33” 

Waist: 34”

Hips:  40”

Length: 53 1/2” measured flat at the back from the neck seam

Condition: This Renato Balestra dress is in very clean condition with no wear, tear, stains or odors.  This was well cared for over the years and looks like it saw little use.  

This is an exceptional Renato Balestra dress - very elegant, sure to be noticed!