In September, historic Italian brand Balestra, under the artistic direction of late founder Renato Balestra's granddaughter Sofia Bertolli Balestra, revealed its commitment to expand internationally and focus on the US alongside its spring collection. The brand is currently sold at Switch in Los Angeles and Montaigne Market in St. Barths, and will soon launch at specialty boutiques Off Seids, House of Jax, and Bliss Boutique.
For pre-fall, Bertolli Balestra continued to reference the brand's archive – “the foundation of the collection,” he said – and used its luxurious Italian fabrications and well-known embroideries in versatile and intriguing fashions.
For example, taking the brand's sparkly, night-focused embroidery and transforming it into a floor-length, high-waisted gold skirt and bra top or an elongated, sheer black tank top. Simpler, breezier silhouettes were paired with equally eye-catching styles, like a leather-look laminated jersey pleated miniskirt, silk pajama pants, and cropped button-down shirts.
“It was a journey towards the discovery of new materials. In the past, there were flame motifs or inspirations, but this was the “real Balestra”. We can give the feeling and touch of what fashion is, which is not just about seeing a beautiful piece, but about interacting with them,” he said. In addition to soft knit evening dresses, denim came in the form of oversized fitted trench coats, while a head-to-toe cotton twill cargo style was painted and distressed in shades of blue.
“The silhouettes are a contrast between the feminine and the masculine, like the miniskirts and fluid silhouettes next to the masculine coats. It’s always a balance between one silhouette and the other,” she said.
From sexy laminated wrap miniskirts, crop tops and jackets to ruched shorts and jumpsuits and textured nylon sporty capes, the pre-fall collection continued to propel the Balestra brand into its new era.
