1980s Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Linen Monochrome Coat Dress

A sophisticated 1980s haute couture mid-length dress cut from black linen by Pierre Balmain circa 1984-1986. Made by hand in France, it is tailored with a cross-over front and off-kilter hook-and-eye fastening that gives it the appearance of a wrap-dress - a silhouette popular during this decade. Polka-dots have long been a signature of the Balmain fashion house. In 1982, after Pierre Balmain’s death, Erik Mortensen took over as creative director and continued to design couture with the founder’s trademarks. White-on-black spots line the front and appear at the turned-up cuffs. Three tonal buttons secure the front. 

This dress is in excellent condition with the original labels intact. This piece doesn't have a size label so please check the measurements below. There is a hand-written label inside the waistband that reads "robe de cocktail en socoa noir doublée de toile de soie noire à pois blancs" (cocktail dress in black socoa lined with black silk canvas with white polka dots).  It is annotated "76" which probably denotes a runway look, and is stamped with a Pierre Balmain stamp. Runway footage from the earlier part of the 1980s is patchy and we've haven't yet been able to attribute to a particular collection. The dress would best fit around a UK 8-10, US 4-6.

MEASUREMENTS
Bust - 38 in. (97 cm)
Waist - 30 in. (76 cm)
Hip - 41 in. (104 cm)
Length - 46 in. (117 cm)
Shoulders  - 17 in. (43 cm)