A dreamy atelier, a super elegant collection and the charming and unexpected return of the black. Here are the three magical ingredients of the fashion show that presented the autumn/winter 2017-18 collection by Renato Balestra, who makes us dream again of winter dresses and fabrics. The show wasn’t disappointing at all, and this was largely due to its wonderful location. It almost felt like being in Paris, for the incredible welcoming, the care for details and the excellent organization. Renato Balestra is probably the only real couturier left in the environment of AltaRoma 2017 . The theme of the show was doubtlessly princesses. But be careful: we’re not talking about actual royals but about any woman who has the spirit and the desire to wear royal dresses.
It is not that common to want to wear such dresses and most of all it is not common to be able to pull them off. In Renato Balestra’s atelier in via Cola di Rienzo in Roma, and precisely in the wonderful gardens that surround it, we had the chance to admire 30 dreamy, refined and unexpectedly black dresses. Bright yellow and gold adorn and enhance black, providing the collection with a slightly exotic, East and patchouli inspired touch. But it’s just a touch, an illusion that fades away when large and colorful tunics appear: bright red, crimson red, burgundy and cherry red.
Finally, a wedding gown, simple and elegant, made in tulle and light blue embroideries that render the design as light as a cloud. At the show there were several important people from the Italian fashion world. Among these, I’d like to mention Silvia Venturing, creative director for Fendi, and Sara Maino, editor for Vogue Italia and Vogue Talents, who were with me even the previous day: we had been asked to judge for the participation award of the Arab Fashion Week 2017, organized by the Fashion and Costume Academy.
