A Pierre Balmain couture embroidered cocktail dress, 1955, labelled and numbered 79886, the black velvet by J Leonard, embroidered by Lesage with scarlet velvet berries, embroidered green leaves spangled with tiny gun metal sequins, bust 86cm, 34in, waist 61cm, 24in This dress was shown in L'Officiel no.405-406, December 1955.

Hem has been raised approx. 2cm all the way round. Lacking lining. Dress has been cut and taken in along centre-back skirt seam, below the waist, to take a little of the fullness out of the skirt – approx. 35cm. The bodice and gem seam do not look altered. Velvet is good – very slight discolouration at underarm edges. There is a repaired split to the velvet approx. 1.5cm long at left rear skirt. Embroidery and colours are superb. The sequins which are iridescent blue, sparkle like frost. The little berries on the shoulder straps – the velvet is rubbed.