John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Lace up Top and Skirt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Water Mill, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5116244521
John Galliano
Known for introducing rich theatricality and memorable fashion spectacles to the runway, John Galliano has enjoyed a singular career. The audacious British designer has garnered universal acclaim for genre-breaking collections not only at his eponymous label but also for Givenchy and Christian Dior.
From his embroidered absinthe-green Oscars gown for actress Nicole Kidman to the iconic sleeveless newspaper-print dress that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made famous, Galliano’s intricate and multifaceted work is reliably newsworthy, drawing on history as often as it embodies a fresh and forward-looking sensibility, and over the years the designer has helped shape an ever-broadening new legion of enthusiasts for Parisian couture.
Born in Gibraltar but raised in South London by strict Roman Catholic working-class parents, Galliano attended the all-boys Church of England grammar school, where his flamboyance and interest in art attracted the attention of bullies. Eventually, Galliano ended up at the prestigious design and art school Central Saint Martins College (then called Saint Martin’s School of Art), where fellow British designers Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen also trained.
Galliano flourished at Central Saint Martins. While a student, he worked in the costume department at the National Theatre in London. His graduate collection in 1984, dubbed “Les Incroyables” and named for post–French Revolution fashion lovers, was modeled by close friends of his and earned a standing ovation. The line ended up in the storefront windows of London luxury boutique Brown’s on South Molton Street, and Galliano’s first official collection — after he graduated — debuted at Paris Fashion Week in 1989.
In the early 1990s, Galliano’s relationship with his financial backer, Plein Sud’s Faycal Amor, ended, and by 1994, he was broke and sleeping on the floor of a friend’s apartment. Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour and then-Vanity Fair editor André Leon Talley stepped in and introduced the budding designer to Portuguese socialite and fashion patron São Schlumberger and others. At Schlumberger’s Hôtel Particulier, Galliano’s shows became the stuff of fashion legend. His collection, a blend of Japanese modernist style as well as nostalgia for Art Deco and 1940s’ tailoring, earned raves in glossy magazines and garnered the attention of Princess Diana, Madonna and other fashion luminaries.
Once the Galliano name was well known among the world’s most stylish set, the chairperson of LVMH, Bernard Arnault, appointed Galliano head designer of French fashion house Givenchy. One year later, in 1996, LVMH moved him to the design team at Dior, where he produced scores of celebrated looks for Dior Haute Couture. Today, Galliano is the creative director of Maison Margiela.
Shop vintage John Galliano evening dresses and gowns, handbags, jackets and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Christian Dior
When Christian Dior launched his couture house, in 1946, he wanted nothing less than to make “an elegant woman more beautiful and a beautiful woman more elegant.” He succeeded, and in doing so the visionary designer altered the landscape of 20th century fashion.
Dior was born in Granville, on the Normandy coast, in 1905. His prosperous haute bourgeois parents wanted him to become a diplomat despite his interest in art and architecture. However, they agreed to bankroll an art gallery, which Dior opened in 1928 in Paris with a friend.
This was the start of Dior’s rise in the city’s creative milieu, where he befriended Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau. After seven years as an art dealer, Dior retrained as a fashion illustrator, eventually landing a job as a fashion designer for Robert Piguet, and in 1941, following a year of military service, he joined the house of Lucien Lelong. Just five years later, with the backing of industrialist Marcel Boussac, the ascendant Dior established his own fashion house, at 30 avenue Montaigne in Paris.
Just two years after the end of World War II, the fashion crowd and the moribund haute couture industry were yearning, comme tout Paris, for security and prosperity, desperate to discard the drab, sexless, utilitarian garb imposed by wartime deprivation. They needed to dream anew.
And Dior delivered: He designed a collection for a bright, optimistic future. “It’s quite a revolution, dear Christian!” exclaimed Carmel Snow, the prescient American editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar, famously proclaiming, “Your dresses have such a new look.” The press ran with the description, christening Dior’s debut Spring/Summer haute couture collection the New Look. “God help those who bought before they saw Dior,” said Snow. “This changes everything.”
Dior’s collection definitively declared that opulence, luxury and femininity were in. His skirts could have 40-meter-circumference hems, and outfits could weigh up to 60 pounds. They were cut and shaped like architecture, on strong foundations that molded women and “freed them from nature,” Dior said. Rather than rationing, his ladies wanted reams of fabric and 19-inch waists enforced by wire corsets, and the fashion world concurred. The debut got a standing ovation.
In the subsequent decade, Paris ruled as the undisputed fashion capital of the world, and Christian Dior reigned as its king. With the luxuriously full skirts of his New Look, suits and his drop-dead gorgeous evening dresses and ball gowns worthy of any princess, Dior gave women the gift of glamour they’d lost in the miserable years of war.
On 1stDibs, find an exquisite range of vintage Christian Dior clothing, jewelry, handbags and other items.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Water Mill, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Dolce & Gabbana New Silk JumpsuitBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous camel silk jumpsuit by Dolce & Gabbana. It has a shirt collar, 2 chest button flap pockets, and a drop waistline. The long full sleeves have a 1 button cuff and the abil...Category
2010s Italian Jumpsuits
- Gianni Versace Silk Dress and Jacket 1990sBy Gianni Versace, Istante by VersaceLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful yellow silk dress and jacket set from Gianni Versace's Istante collection. The sleeveless scoop neck semi fitted dress is simply cut ...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- Neil Bieff Arturo Herrera Silk Skirt and Top Set 1970sBy Neil BieffLocated in Water Mill, NYA gorgeous 2 piece tan silk top and skirt set from designer Neil Bieff. It is adorned with an abstract pattern of sequins and glass beads created by world renowned artist Arturo Her...Category
1970s Indian Day Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana Flower Silk Drape Skirt with Flower and ShirtBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Water Mill, NYA gorgeous set from Dolce & Gabbana consisting of a shirt and skirt made of sheer pink silk. The long sleeve shirt has a small collar and ornate filigree painted metal ball buttons u...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gucci New Silk Halter JumpsuitBy GucciLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous deep red silk jumpsuit from Gucci. It has a halter neckline crossing at the front then wrapping around the neck. There is a band at the waist and the pants portion are s...Category
2010s Italian Jumpsuits
- Moschino Color Block Tuxedo Dress 1990sBy Moschino Cheap and Chic, MoschinoLocated in Water Mill, NYA whimsical dress from Moschino in black red and off white. The bodice appears as a black double breast jacket with peak lapels and long sleeves with...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- Paul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble, c. 1960By Paul DaunayLocated in London, GBPaul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble comprising: long-line waistcoat lined with purple silk and high rise a-line skirt with inverted pleats and two side pockets. ...Category
1960s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Azzedine Alaia leopard wool dress, cardigan, skirt and leggings set, fw 1991By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GB▪ Azzedine Alaia leopard wool four-piece set ▪ Long sleeve fitted knee-length dress ▪ Oversized button-up cardigan ▪ High-waisted leggings ▪ High-waisted fitted knee-length pencil ...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Christian Dior by John Galliano purple tie-dye silk top and skirt set, ss 2001By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior silk top and skirt set ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Purple and orange tie-dyed silk chiffon ▪ Snakeskin print calfskin leath...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier Gibo Equator Houndstooth Cigar Vintage Jumpsuit Dress CatsuitBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRHoundstooth cigar catsuit dress by Jean Paul Gaultier! From the very early Gibo line! Zipper closure VERY GOOD condition! SIZE Small. Marked size: 38. Model`s size in photos: XS....Category
1980s Italian Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1960s Cream and Gold Brocade Coat and Gown Set with Beaded DetailLocated in San Francisco, CAStunning vintage 1960s sleeveless fluted gown and coat set set in cream and pale gold brocade. Gown has a beautiful fit and flare shape with a deep scoop back and beading at neck. Li...Category
1960s Unknown Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1970s Couture Silk Checked Skirt and Cape EnsembleLocated in London, GBThis sensational 1970s silk couture skirt and cape ensemble with multicoloured check design is of superb quality and in excellent vintage condition with a contemporary high fashion a...Category
1970s French Skirt Suits
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How John Galliano Caused Fashion Chaos around the Globe
The visionary designer epitomizes the pleasures and perils of irrepressible creative genius.
The Best Ways to Dress for Your Astrological Sign
Makeup and astrology expert Linda Mason dispenses fashion advice for every zodiac sign. Does your wardrobe match your horoscope?