This elegant shift dress was created by Pierre Balmain in his 1960s heyday. Extolled for the sculptural quality that characterises his work, Balmain lovingly described dressmaking as "the architecture of movement". The designer dressed many Hollywood icons including Marlene Dietrich, Katharine Hepburn, Ava Gardner and Brigitte Bardot.

Tailored from black silk faille which has been lined in gold, the combined fabric is of considerable weight and therefore retains the line and dramatic shape of the garment. The dress has a panelled construction, elegant wide neckline and knee-length cut. The high waist is detailed with a latticework design in coordinating black silk. It is finished at the back with an off-kilter tonal zip fastening and a pretty knotted bow detail.

This demi couture piece has been crafted with an incredible level of detail and has an air of grace about it. Balmain studied architecture alongside dress design at the École des Beaux-Arts in the 1930s and worked with a young Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy at the couture atelier, Lucien Lelong. The original white-on-black label reads "Boutique Pierre Balmain Paris” and it is in wonderful vintage condition with no issues of any note. A very wearable UK 12-14 or US 8-10. Our model is a UK 8-10 and 5 ft 11 / 180 cm, this dress was quite roomy on her. 

MEASUREMENTS :

Bust - 40 in. (102 cm)

Waist - 34 in. (86 cm)

Hip - 43 in. (109 cm)

Length- 38 in. (97 cm)