Dior Strapless Cocktail Dress
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in New York, NY
Christian Dior, chiffon and hammered silk satin, strapless cocktail dress.
Dior Strapless Cocktail Dress
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in New York, NY
Christian Dior, chiffon and hammered silk satin, strapless cocktail dress.
$10,253
Size: FR42 - UK14 - US10 - LARGE
Christian Dior by John Galliano Black Strapless Silk and Mesh Dress, ss 2004
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
▪ Christian Dior Black Strapless Evening Dress ▪ Creative Director: John Galliano ▪ Spring-Summer 2004 ▪ The bodice features a stretch mesh tulle with a dotted pattern, designed to b...
$995
Size: FR 36 US 4
Dior Resort 2007 John Galliano Metallic Silver Strapless Drape Dress Runway US 4
By Christian Dior, John Galliano
Located in Toronto, ON
Pre-owned Christian Dior Resort 2007 grey dress featuring metallic fabric, piping detail, darting on chest, corset style top with padding, draped back, concealed rear zipper, hook an...
Christian Dior by John Galliano Strapless Old Hollywood Style Bow Dress Gown
By Valentino, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa early 2000 John Galliano for the House of Dior strapless blush pink silk bias cut gown. Fashionably adorned with hand tie bows slightly asymmetric down front of bodice extendi...
CHRISTIAN DIOR John Galliano Vintage U neckline strapless goddess dress FR38 M
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHRISTIAN DIOR John Galliano Vintage U neckline strapless goddess dress FR38 M Reference: TGAS/D00364 Brand: Dior Designer: John Galliano Material: Acetate, Viscose Color: Black Patt...
$28,710
Size: FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6
Christian Dior by John Galliano black silk strapless trained gown, fw 2008
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
▪ Christian Dior black silk faille strapless evening gown ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Built-in boned corset with underwired bra ▪ Oversized draped bow ▪ Narrow floor-length skirt ...
50s Christian Dior New York Black Strapless Dress
By Christian Dior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic, sexy sheath by Christian Dior - New York. Strapless style in black lightweight wool with fully boned bodice. faux button front bodice zips up side. Pleated front skirt with...
Christian Dior London Black Lace Strapless Dress with Overblouse
By Christian Dior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely cocktail dress from Christian Dior London. A strapless dress with ¾-sleeve over-blouse done in a black small-scale floral lace on nude net.
Raf Simons for Christian Dior Runway Strapless Embroidered Dress, Spring 2013
By Raf Simons, Christian Dior
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Raf Simons for Christian Dior, Runway, Spring 2013, (Look 27) black strapless tulle netting polyamide with 3D embroidered sequins, faceted crystals and bugle beads, built-in-bra with...
Dior Marc Bohan Silk Strapless Cocktail Dress Size 4, 1980s
By Marc Bohan
Located in Atlanta, GA
Dior by Marc Bohan 1980s new still with tag silk strapless ruching dress size 38 but fits like a modern size 4 ( please see & use measurements).
1970s Dior Haute Couture Strapless Beaded & Lesage Embroidery Evening Gown
By Christian Dior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
François Lesage was commissioned by the world's leading couturiers to embellish garments with expert, beautiful embroidery. This 1970s Christian Dior haute couture evening gown featu...
Christian Dior Strapless Red Polka Dot Velvet and Net Gown
By Christian Dior
Located in Topanga, CA
Christian Dior
In 1947, Christian Dior brought back glamour with his “New Look” collection. He brought luxurious fabrics to his fashions world at the postwar era, inspired by ...
Christian Dior by John Galliano Black Silk Strapless Gown, Fall 2008
By Christian Dior, Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Christian Dior by John Galliano, Fall 2008, black silk strapless evening gown with bow accent at front; draped overlay, train at hem, inbuilt corset and concealed zip & snap closur...
Christian Dior Boutique Art Deco Beaded Olive Green Lace/mesh Dress (US 4)
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Montreal, Quebec
CHRISTIAN DIOR BOUTIQUE ART DECO BEADED OLIVE GREEN LACE/MESH DRESS (US 4) This Christian Dior Boutique strapless mermaid dress is from the early 2000s and features a ruched floral ...
Christian Dior Strapless Tuxedo Dress
By Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
Black Christian Dior silk strapless tuxedo dress. Colour: Black Material: Silk 100% Size: FR 42 Measurements: bust: 86 centimetres, waist: 74 centimetres, hips: 92 centim...
Dior by JPG Strapless Dress
By Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
Handcrafted in France in 2002, this Pre Owned Dior by JPG Printed Dress will turn heads. Created under John Galliano at Dior. This knee-length dress is made of semi-sheer pure silk a...
CHRISTIAN DIOR pink silk 2024 STRAPLESS TAFFETA GOWN Dress 36 XS
By Christian Dior
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Christian Dior gown in fuchsia pink taffeta silk is a striking expression of timeless couture elegance. Designed with a dramatic flared, strapless silhouette and ...
Christian Dior By John Galliano Black & Nude Knit Strapless Dress 2009
By Christian Dior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Christian Dior by John Galliano black strapless dress featuring fancy crochet knit, bra detail, nude underdress, and mini length.
Sold
Size: FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6
Christian Dior by John Galliano metallic silver strapless dress, resort 2007
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
Christian Dior by John Galliano metallic silver strapless draped evening dress with built in corset and optional shoulder straps Resort 2007
Christian Dior by John Galliano white silk strapless dress, ss 2004
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
▪ Christian Dior white strapless dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ White silk jersey tube designed to ruched around the bodice ▪ Silk chiffon high-low skirt with ruffled trim ▪ FR ...
Christian Dior by John Galliano peach silk strapless dress, ss 2004
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
▪ Christian Dior white strapless dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Spring-Summer 2004 ▪ Cupro-jersey tube top with elastic ruched side seams ▪ Silk chiffon high-low skirt with ruf...
Christian Dior Boutique Paris Tulip print Strapless layered Maxi Dress 1970s
By Christian Dior, Marc Bohan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Christian Dior Boutique Tulip print Strapless layered Maxi Dress from the 1970s during Marc Bohans design tenure at Dior.
Sold
Size: FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6
Christian Dior by John Galliano silk brocade strapless bias cut dress, ss 1998
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
▪ Christian Dior cream silk brocade strapless dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Boned bodice ▪ Floral and checked lightweight silk brocade ▪ Bias cut ▪ Floor-length skirt ▪ FR 3...
CHRISTIAN DIOR 4 Silver Floral Embroidered Jacquard Strapless Cocktail Dress Set
By Raf Simons, Christian Dior
Located in San Francisco, CA
This fabulous CHRISTIAN DIOR Spring 2014 Collection strapless cocktail mini dress look comes in a structured metallic silver jacquard fabric with orange, red, & pink floral embroider...
DIOR John Galliano Vintage U wired neckline strapless goddess dress FR38 M
By Christian Dior, John Galliano
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHRISTIAN DIOR John Galliano Vintage U wired neckline strapless goddess dress FR38 M Reference: TGAS/D00364 Brand: Christian Dior Designer: John Galliano Material: Acetate, Viscose C...
Christian Dior Haute Couture Red Strapless Gown, Circa 1987-88
By Christian Dior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing red strapless Haute Couture gown by Christian Dior, from Autome-Hiver 1987-1988. The gown is silk taffeta with black velvet trim , boning in the structured bodice,...
Christian Dior Blue/Purple Iridescent Strapless Silk Ball Gown
By Christian Dior
Located in Gresham, OR
A late 70s, early 80s Christian Dior strapless silk taffeta ballgown in purple/blue with "petal" pleated bust and cummerbund style waist. Size 2
Christian Dior by John Galliano Fall 2006 Strapless Gown
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Indulge in the luxurious and exclusive elegance of this Christian Dior by John Galliano dress. Crafted from a rich burgundy berry fabric, this dress exudes sophistication and taste.
Christian Dior Couture Tuxedo Dress
By Christian Dior
Located in Austin, TX
Christian Dior Couture strapless tuxedo dress. Condition: Very good.
Christian Dior by Gianfranco Ferre Black Lace Strapless Velvet flocked Gown
By Gianfranco Ferré, Christian Dior
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Early 1990s elegant strapless vintage Christian Dior gown designed by Gianfranco Ferre. This Beautiful Strapless mesh fabric with velvet flocked dots has fan patterned lace with bl...
Christian Dior Dress - Spring 2014 Runway - Blue, Red, Floral, Silk, Cocktail
By Christian Dior
Located in San Francisco, CA
Christian Dior By Raf Simons strapless cocktail dress features a blue and black striped shift body with red floral print ribbon overlay and built in bustier.
Christian Dior by John Galliano c. 2003 Embellished Black Dress
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Christian Dior by John Galliano c. 2003 Embellished Black Dress FR 40 John Galliano for Christian Dior strapless mini dress with jewel embellishments throughout, sash tie belt at wa...
Christian Dior by John Galliano Trompe L'Oeil Denim Dress or Maxi Skirt, SS2000
By Christian Dior, John Galliano
Located in Geneva, CH
From the unmissable early 2000 John Galliano for Christian Dior collection, this strapless slip dress features the iconic “trompe l’oeil” denim print.
CHRISTIAN DIOR black silk 2016 BOW STRAPLESS EVENING Dress 38 S
By Christian Dior
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Christian Dior 2016 flared corsage satin dress in black silk (100%). Features two meshes on the front and a tulle slip skirt. Corsage and dress both open with a concea...
CHRISTIAN DIOR grey cotton 2019 CRUISE TOILE DE JOUY Strapless Dress XS
By Christian Dior
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Christian Dior Cruise 2019 Toile de Jouy backless dress in light grey and off-white cotton (missing tag). Pleated midi skirt part. Closes with a zipper and two buckles...
Christian Dior Demi Couture Runway Elegant Strapless Cocktail Evening Dress
By Christian Dior, Raf Simons for Christian Dior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
His styles offer a quiet and stylish elegance with inspiration drawn from House of Dior archives. A winning combination. Runway strapless evening dress fashioned of fine blue wo...
1983 Christian Dior Haute Couture Off White Organdy Strapless Dress
By Christian Dior
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring-Summer 1983 strapless off white tiered cocktail dress.
Stunning Christian Dior Strapless Peek-A-Boo Evening Gown Maxi Dress
By Christian Dior
Located in Switzerland, CH
Christian Dior Evening Gown Bandeau upper part with peek-a-boo cleavage Cleavage with knit trimming and hook-and-eye closure Simply slips on Patchwork details with beautiful embroide...
1950s Couture Dior Style Gold Strapless Dress
Located in London, GB
Amazing 1950s strapless dress in a beautiful textured woven gold fabric. This couture made piece features a full calf length skirt and some lovely detailing with decorative covered ...
Christian Dior by John Galliano Strapless Old Hollywood Style Bow Dress Gown
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa early 2000 John Galliano for the House of Dior strapless blush pink silk bias cut gown. Fashionably adorned with hand tie bows slightly asymmetric down front of bodice extendi...
1986 CHRISTIAN DIOR Haute Couture Black Velvet Strapless Gown
By Christian Dior
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Jet black velvet haute couture gown with large wrap around pockets, high front slit and satin bow at back from Christian Dior designed by Marc Bohan dating to the fall of 1986. Best ...
RAF SIMONS for CHRISTIAN DIOR strapless striped dress pre-fall 2013
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Strapless striped dress with corseted top designed by Raf Simons for Christian Dior dating to pre-fall of 2013.
1950S Blush Pink Rayon & Nylon Tulle Draped Strapless Gown In The Style Of Dior
Located in New York, NY
Very small waist. 1950S Blush Pink Rayon & Nylon Tulle Draped Strapless Gown In The Style Of Dior Jean Dessés
Christian Dior Pink Cotton Halter Neck Bow Detail Ruched Mini Dress S
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
This Christian Dior strapless dress is a stunning choice for a perfect evening look.
Dior Boutique Dress Fringes Parme S size or 38 / EXCELLENTE CONDITION
By Christian Dior
Located in VERGT, FR
Very beautiful Dior strapless dress in fully fringed parma color.
Christian Dior Boutique Maroon Brocade Belted Strapless Dress S
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Dress to impress by adorning this creation from Christian Dior Boutique.
Dior Yellow Printed Silk Bow Detail Gathered Strapless Dress S
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Dress to impress by adorning this creation from Dior.
Christian Dior Black Knit Strapless Dress
By Christian Dior
Located in San Francisco, CA
So glamorous, so sexy! Slinky silk knit always looks fabulous when draped, and this Christian Dior dress does it so beautifully. With a sweetheart bust line and swathes of lightweigh...
S/S 2003 Christian Dior Red Strapless Mini Dress by Galliano
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Christian Dior by Galliano strapless red dress with draped front paneling, ruched side and bottom panels and strappy, hanging “D” for Dior details that wrap around the back of the dr...
1950s Vintage Christian Dior Strapless Silk Satin Pale Taupe Dress w Bow & Sash
By Christian Dior
Located in Portland, OR
We are so happy to be able to offer this very rare, vintage 1950's strapless evening gown from Christian Dior in a pale taupe silk satin.
1990's Christian Dior Black Strapless-Illusion Collar & Cuffs Mini Party Dress
By Christian Dior
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Made of black silk; it has a seductive vibe that takes the concept of a "little black dress" to new levels. The strapless sheer-illusion with dramatic white organza collar & cuffs co...
Christian Dior attributed 1950 red silk strapless gown
By Christian Dior
Located in Cloverdale, CA
Christian Dior attributed 1950 red silk strapless gown 4 layers of skirts including two horsehair Label is I Magnin Importers Bust 32" Waist 23" Hips 38" Length 50" In ab...
1983 Christian Dior Haute-Couture Purple Silk Strapless Sculpted Cocktail Dress
By Marc Bohan, Christian Dior
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
When the talented Marc Bohan took over as head designer in 1960, he continued the Dior tradition of elegant design.This beautiful cocktail dress, which was featured in L'Officiel, is...
Dior Boutique Navy Blue Crepe Strapless Gown S
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
A fabulous mixture of comfort and style, you cannot go wrong with this Dior gown. It is made from quality fabrics and designed in a strapless cut. This navy blue gown is sure to be y...
Dior Boutique Navy Blue Crepe Strapless Gown S
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
A fabulous mixture of comfort and style, you cannot go wrong with this Dior gown. It is made from quality fabrics and designed in a strapless cut. This navy blue gown is sure to be y...
Dior Black Crepe Pleat Detail Embellished Strapless Gown
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
You will love the way you look when you slip this black gown on. It is a Dior design, wonderfully tailored and designed with pleats and embellished details. A pair of metallic sandal...
Christian Dior 1986 Haute Couture Black Velvet Strapless Gown
By Christian Dior
Located in New York, NY
With its slogan `If You Like Dior's Poison, You'll Love Turmoil.' and Featuring than unknown model Linda Evangelista in 1986 House of Dior created another amazing piece of clothing t...
Christian Dior 1986 Haute Couture Black Velvet Strapless Gown
By Christian Dior
Located in New York, NY
With its slogan `If You Like Dior's Poison, You'll Love Turmoil.' and Featuring than unknown model Linda Evangelista in 1986 House of Dior created another amazing piece of clothing t...
Dior Black Crepe Pleat Detail Embellished Strapless Gown M
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
You will love the way you look when you slip this black gown on. It is a Dior design, wonderfully tailored and designed with pleats and embellished details. A pair of metallic sandal...
Vintage 1958 Yves Saint Laurent For Christian Dior Golden Silk Strapless Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
We are pleased to offer this important and incredibly rare golden dupioni silk party dress from Yves Saint Laurent was head designer for Christian Dior's fall-winter 1958 collection.
1951 Christain Dior Original NY Strapless Polka-Dot Silk Gown
By Christian Dior
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The House of Dior has been an enduring icon of haute couture.
Vintage 1969 Christian Dior For Saks Black Lace & Silk Strapless Bow Mini Dress
By Christian Dior, Marc Bohan
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A timeless "Little Black Dress" created when Marc Bohan was head designer at Christian Dior.
1958 Christian Dior London Cream Strapless Gown by Marc Bohan
By Christian Dior
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1958 Christian Dior London gown by Marc Bohan. Stunning and very rare crumb catcher gown with fitted waist and full skirt, with built-in corset with boning. In very good vintage cond...
Prada Vintage Leather Coat in Brown
By Prada
Located in Carnate, IT
Prada Vintage Leather Coat in Brown Prada raincoat. In nylon, seaver fur, leather details. Lined in rayon and acetate. The lining and the fur collar are both removable if desired. ...
$12,304
Size: FR40 - UK12 - US6/8
John Galliano Pink Bias-Cut Satin Evening Dress with Rhinestone Straps, SS 2002
By John Galliano
Located in London, GB
John Galliano, Spring-Summer 2002. Bias-cut evening dress in rose-toned crepe-back satin. The fitted bodice features a draped cowl neckline, with rhinestone-embellished straps. The g...
Gucci Vintage Monogram Customized Ladybug Reporter Messenger Shoulder Bag
By Gucci
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Gucci Vintage Monogram Customized Hand Painted Ladybug Reporter Messenger Shoulder Bag in very good condition. Gucci monogram canvas exterior trimmed with light brown leather, gold h...
Enrico Coveri 1980s Vintage White & Black Polka Dot Cotton Fit & Flare Dress
By Enrico Coveri
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible vintage 80s ENRICO COVERI white and black polka dot printed dress! Features all over polka dots, with white silk grosgrain ribbon detail at bust. Super flattering bodice, ...
1990s Moschino Cheap & Chic Animal Print Vintage 90s Silk Short Sleeve Top
By Moschino
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage MOSCHINO Cheap & Chic silk animal print blouse! Features leopard, zebra, cheetah, and tiger prints throughout. Warm colors of brown, ivory, trimmed with black lace....
$275
Size: Fits IT 40, US 4 see measurement
Dolce & Gabbana Lime Green Flared Pencil Skirt with Yellow Lace Accents
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in San Francisco, CA
Dolce and Gabbana lime green fit and flare pencil skirt with yellow lace godet panels at bottom. Vertical seam detail at one side. Back zip and hook and eye. 100% viscose (linen-loo...
Red Valentino Mini Dress - '00s
By REDValentino
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Mini dress in soft crepe white viscose with thin straps, ruffled pleats at the hem, and a black velvet lace trim for a romantic, refined finish. Remarks: There is no size tag. Me...
2000S JOHN GALLIANO CHRISTIAN DIOR Olive Green Silk Chiffon One Shoulder Dress
By John Galliano
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully made with an internal corset to keep the shape of the dress. Some damage due to young rich girls who's mother's taught them no sense of decorum. Damage is on side where t...
John Galliano for Christian Dior Lace up Silk Dress
By Christian Dior, John Galliano
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black fine silk dress with stretch from Christian Dior. It has a scoop neck front and back with intricate lacing starting at one shoulder crossing the front and back wrap...
Versace Silk Cut out Back Dress
By Versace
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful pink silk dress from Versace. It is is a simple sleeveless sheath from the front. The back is exposed from the shoulders to low back with the exception of draping framin...
Emilio Pucci S/S 2012 Runway Unworn Embellished Sheer Lace Cutout Mini Dress
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Emilio Pucci S/S 2012 Runway Unworn Embellished Sheer Lace Cutout Gold Mini Dress Look 31 from the Spring 2012 Collection by Peter Dundas. Size: IT 40 Condition: Unworn with addi...
$7,290
H 14.56 in W 5.9 in L 20.47 in
Chanel Shopping Top Handle Tote Cotton Beach Black and White Terry Cloth Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Shopping Top Handle Tote Cotton Beach Black and White Terry Cloth Bag Black and White with leather straps in excellent condition. Comes with Chanel towel 20.47"L x 5.9"W x 14...
Celine Brown Cut out Back Dress with Bead Trim S/S 2003
By Michael Kors, Celine
Located in Water Mill, NY
A very chic brown jersey dress by Michael Kors for Celine. It has rows of brown wooden bead adorned fine straps emanating from the front neckline which extend over the shoulders cros...
Roberto Cavalli Astrological Print Silk Halter Dress with Chain Straps, FW 2003
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in London, GB
This Roberto Cavalli silk dress features a halter neckline with gold chain straps. The fabric showcases a rich brown base with intricate astrological-themed prints, including constel...
New Gucci Flora Bamboo Runway Pumps Heels Sz 6.5
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Brand New Gucci Flora Heels Size: 6.5 Beautiful Iconic Canvas Flora Pattern Bamboo & Gold Hardware Leather Insole Wood Heel Heel Height 3" With Box
$1,323
Size: French 40
Thierry Mugler 1980s Vintage Iconic Black Cotton Bustier Corset Strapless Dress
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Enjoy this item as part of our Holiday Sale, for one week! Exceptional and Rare Thierry Mugler 1980s Vintage Black Cotton Boned Bustier Corset Dress Rare and hard to find, this stu...
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. Vintage Dior bags, shoes, evening dresses, shirts and other garments and accessories are known today for their feminine and sophisticated sensibility.
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 couture 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.
With entire museum exhibitions dedicated to examining fashion designers and their creations, we’re finally recognizing that costuming is art. Evening dresses over time have conveyed specific statements about social class, position and beliefs. Fashion is a powerful means of self-expression, and sophisticated vintage evening dresses and gowns by our favorite couturier play no small role in making us feel wonderful but, perhaps more importantly, making us feel like ourselves.
In the 16th century, dresses and gowns were so important that England's Queen Elizabeth I defined rules about what dresses women could wear — guidance included long skirts and fitted bodices. Forward-thinking designers have responded to this history.
Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel reimagined traditionally masculine garments for feminine shapes, and her elegant evening dresses and gowns promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by layers of fabric. Christian Dior's gowns celebrated luxury and femininity in the late 1940s — and gave to women the gift of glamour they’d lost in the miserable years of the war. French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent introduced innovative and highly coveted dress designs in the 1960s while at the same time challenging sexist stereotypes about which members of society could wear tuxedos.
Works by unconventional British designer John Galliano — featured in houses like Givenchy and Dior — redefined limits that dressmakers faced in terms of material, construction and vision during the late 20th century. From his embroidered absinthe-green Oscars gown for actress Nicole Kidman to the iconic sleeveless Dior newspaper dress that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made famous, Galliano’s intricate and multifaceted work is reliably collectible and newsworthy
Today’s designers target an increasingly broad audience with their boundary-crossing work, and their tendency to play off of each other’s ideas means that every walk down the runway is also a walk through an entire history of fashion design and dress craftsmanship.
Whether you gravitate toward backless maxi dresses or silk charmeuse gowns by Alexander McQueen or embellished, ruffled floral-print designs by Chloe or Versace, there is an extraordinary collection of vintage and designer evening dresses and gowns waiting for you on 1stDibs.