Vintage 1980s Renato Balestra Dress Black Velvet & Silk

This is a vintage 1980s Renato Balestra dress made in a cocktail party style. This Renato Balestra dress is made of black viscose velvet and trimmed in a shocking pink and black silk.  The silk appears as ruffled decoration to the short sleeves and as a peplum that is affixed to a black satin belt.  I’ve posed the peplum positioned both at the side and at the back - I’m unsure which is technically correct, but both appear to work and can be use as per your preference, although I would think that you wouldn’t want to sit on the peplum.  Within the silk decoration on each sleeve there is a wonderful rosette formed out of velvet and silk with sequinned floral stems - please view the close-up photos.  This Renato Balestra dress itself is made in a simple form fitting sheath style that should be worn off the shoulder.  The dress is lined in a black viscose fabric.  The hemline is weighted - a sign of the quality of this Renato Balestra dress.

Label: Renato Balestra Made in Italy.  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 Woo, Linda Christian and Carrol Baker.  

Sizing: Italian size 42 is indicated on the label of this Renato Balestra dress, which should be equivalent to a size 6, but please rely on the following measurements for fit:

Shoulders:  21” across, 42” around - note that this would fit snuggly around the upper arm

Bust: 33” 

Waist: 31”, meant to be cinched with the belt

Hips:  37”

Length: 42” from the top of the sleeve to the hemline

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 a quality Renato Balestra dress - striking pink silk, wonderful style and fit, entrance making party dress!