Balestra stages spectacular Opera and Fashion show

BELGRADE - Famous Italian fashion designer Renato Balestra has staged a spectacular fashion show titled Opera and Fashion on the main stage of the National Theatre in Belgrade.

Late Friday, the Belgrade audience had an opportunity to see ten collections of a total of 180 models that offer a retrospective of the entire career of the 90-year-old Balestra, the Politika daily reported.

The part of the show that is dedicated to opera was opened by the Serbian opera diva Jadranka Jovanovic with an aria from the opera Carmen, which was followed by a display of costumes for Gioachino Rossini's opera Cinderella, worn by fashion models.

It was a kind of homecoming for Balestra, who designed the costumes 17 years ago, and also the premiere of Cinderella at the Serbian National Theatre.

The fashion show, which featured exceptional haute couture designs, ended with dresses in the colours of the Italian and Serbian flags and ovations for the celebrated designer.

Balestra, who always gladly returns to Belgrade and who in 1999 publicly criticised the NATO aggression and bombing of Serbia, received a coat of arms with the seal of the National Theatre from its Director Dejan Savic as a token of gratitude.

Photo TANJUG/N. Jovanovic, file