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Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

French

When Christian Dior launched his haute 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.

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 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.

Find vintage Dior haute couture dresses and gowns for sale on 1stDibs.

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Designer: Christian Dior Haute Couture
JohnGalliano Corset ChristianDior MadeInFrance BlackLaceLogo Boxed HalterBustier
By Christian Dior Haute Couture, John Galliano
Located in Chicago, IL
While British John Galliano was creating haute couture in Paris as French fashion-house Christian Dior Artistic Director beginning in the late 1990s, he designed this "Made In France" black lace-and-sheer-mesh low-back boned corset featuring a bold curvilinear halter neck, underwire padded 32B bustier with a rounded-bust silhouette, cinched waist with a lace ruffle, and embroidered text "Dior". Along with leading couture designers Jean-Paul Gaultier and the late Vivienne Westwood, Thierry Mugler and Gianni Versace, Galliano is closely associated with the popularity of the contemporary corset, which was the focus of his acclaimed couture show in 2024 as the ongoing artistic director of Paris-based Maison Margiela for the past decade. Notably, a Galliano corset from his turn-of-the-century Christian Dior collection--with like tags and similar low back with bustier--can be viewed online among the collections of the Underpinnings Museum, which is dedicated to the most outstanding lingerie. In addition to the tags noting "Christian Dior Made In France" along with the size, Galliano added subtle Dior-logo embroidery to the cleavage. There is no tag noting the materials of the multiple laces, tulle mesh, bones and additional padding or strap fabrics, which seem primarily synthetic for desirable stretch-to-fit. Instead, care-instruction symbols can be found on the back of the size tag. The neck straps for this French-size 85 or U.S.-size 34 can be adjusted to one of the three tiers of hooks that best suits the wearer, while the corset has two tiers of hooks to cinch the waist. As worn by our small-size mannequin, the top will flatter even an A-cup breast size. As noted in our listing sidebar, the buyer will receive the corset packed in its original Christian Dior silver shoebox-size cardboard packaging, while the lingerie will be wrapped in the original logo-printed white tissue paper. The box and paper are in good condition without rips or perforation, while the lingerie is in like-new condition as if it had only been tried on and not worn for an event. For price comparison, a later dated Galliano/Dior bustier corset top--with like tags but strapless--recently sold on 1stDibs for $6,200. The previous sole owner of our top recalled making their purchase as new lingerie in 2001. This French ready-to-wear complex-structure garment should not be confused with other international lingerie lines with different but similar labels--"Christian Dior Intimates...
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Early 2000s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Christian Dior Haute Couture Wool and Feather Suit, Ferre
By Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in New York, NY
Christian Dior Haute Couture Wool and Feather Trimmed Suit by Gianfranco Ferre. Ivory wool is lined in silk, with 2 extravagant cuffs of varied white fea...
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1990s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Autumn/Winter 1959 Christian Dior Couture Black Silk Chiffon "Bella" Gown
By Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Absolutely breathtaking black layered silk chiffon Christian Dior Couture gown from the fall/winter 1959 collection. Strapless, very subtle sweetheart neckline with a corseted bodice...
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1950s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Christian Dior Haute Couture by Gianfranco Ferre
By Gianfranco Ferré for Christian Dior, Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in New York, NY
Christian Dior Haute Couture by Gianfranco Ferre of ivory mohair wool with Mongolian Lamb Sleeves. Cropped fitted shape. Handmade rhinestone dome buttons ...
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Early 2000s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Christian Dior Haute Couture dress
By Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in Rubiera, RE
Christian Dior HAUTE COUTURE PARIS Dress N° 27974 - 1990s - Gianfranco Ferré art director Ruby red silk pleating with silk lining in the same colour...
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1990s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Black taffeta evening coat with Christian Dior label Circa 1955-1960
By Christian Dior, Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1955-1960 France Black taffeta evening kimono coat from the 1950's. The lining and the label were changed in the 1980's, possibly by the Dior Ho...
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1950s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

ChristianDiorBoutiqueParis 1999 JohnGalliano CoutureSilkWoolCrepe HipAccentDress
By Christian Dior Haute Couture, John Galliano
Located in Chicago, IL
Acquired from the French flagship Christian Dior Boutique in Paris when John Galliano was its artistic director of both haute couture and ready-to-wear, he designed this hip-accentua...
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1990s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

1990s Christian Dior Haute Couture Cocktail Dress W/Velvet Corset Detailing
By Christian Dior Haute Couture, Christian Dior
Located in Gresham, OR
A Gorgeous 1990s numbered Dior Haute Couture cocktail dress by Gianfranco Ferre': Micro-pleated silk tulle strapless bust, silk velvet "corset style" waist and forest green silk taff...
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1990s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Christian Dior, Haute Couture, hand-sewn oxford blue, ensemble, circa 1950s
By Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in Kingston, NY
Christian Dior, Haute Couture, hand-sewn oxford blue, ensemble, circa 1950s with provenance. Refined, linear silhouettes, unbroken lines with an architectural flair. Straight and unf...
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1950s American Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Christian Dior Boutique Paris 1990s Stretchy Top Black White Size M
By Christian Dior, Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
This beautiful vintage Christian Dior 1990s stretchy top in black and white stripes is a timeless piece that epitomizes the brand’s legacy of elegance and high fashion. 100% Cotton. ...
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1990s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

CHISTIAN DIOR HAUTE COUTURE Navy Layered Chiffon Dress, Betsy Bloomingdale 1980s
By Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a navy blue three layer chiffon swirl print cocktail dress by Christian Dior Haute Couture, from the early 1980's. The dress has a deep v in the front and the back, knots at ...
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1980s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Christian Dior PRINTEMPS-ETE 1980 Numbered Embellished Jacket + Top + Headband
By Christian Dior, Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in Montgomery, TX
Vintage and Very Unique Christian Dior Embellished 3 PC Ensemble PRINTEMPS-ETE 1980 - PARIS Raspberry Silk Jacket - N# 13160 - Exquisitely Beaded and Embroidered, Layered Shoulders, ...
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1980s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

1990’s Christian Dior Haute Couture Charcoal Grey Woollen Coat
By Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in London, GB
An early 1990s Christian Dior woollen mid-length coat in a charcoal grey, with princess seams on the back and front bodice. The coat has a mandarin collar and shoulder pads for addit...
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20th Century Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

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Badgley Mischka Beaded Black Silk Lace Evening Gown Size US 10
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MISSONI SET Sequin-embellished Striped Crochet-knit Maxi Skirt and Top
By Missoni
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
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2010s Italian Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Sprouse by Stephen Sprouse Raspberry Pink Red Velvet Backless Skater Dress, 1980
By Stephen Sprouse
Located in San Francisco, CA
Raspberry velvet vintage 1980's sleeveless dress with flared skirt from Stephen Sprouse's 'Sprouse' line. Cut low at back. Back zip and hook and eye closure. 100% rayon. Fully lined...
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1980s American Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

S/S 1992 Thierry Mugler Black Runway Jacket Dramatic White Collar
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Incredible rare Thierry Mugler black jacket with a dramatic pointed white collar and matching white cuffs from the Spring Summer 1992 collection and as seen on the runway. Made in Fr...
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1990s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Dolce & Gabbana Runway Ad Campaign Red Mini Dress Ruched Arm Bands, 2003
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Red, baring and slinky, this Dolce & Gabbana minidress is designed to command attention. When it debuted in the spring/summer 2003 runway show on supermodel Gisele Bündchen, it led Vogue’s Sarah Mower to write, “power-womanhood is not extinct on planet Fashion.” And when Steven Meisel focused his lens on it for the season’s ad campaign, it became iconic—and highly collectible. Cut from a luxurious stretch viscose jersey, this LRD is crafted to drape beautifully on the body and accentuate its every move. Rather than hug every curve, it has an easy blouson top (that is even more full at the back) to leave more to the imagination and to balance the revealing deep V at its sides and the short skirt. Coordinating spaghetti straps and drawstrings funneled through a middle panel of the dress allow the wear to customize the fit and length. Wear the piece without or with the stunning ruched arm bands...
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Early 2000s Italian Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Alaïa Autumn/Winter 1991 Runway Christy Turlington Black Corset Bodysuit
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Manchester, GB
Azzedine Alaïa Fall/Winter 1991 rare and important black corset bodysuit. Shown on the runway on Christy Turlington, other versions seen on Carla Bruni and Naomi Campbell. Made f...
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1990s European Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Chanel RTW Fall 2007 Red and White Wool Shirt dress
By Chanel
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Chanel shirtdress from the Fall 2007 runway collection. This dress was look 5/67 on the runway under the glass dome of the Grand Palais, and worn by Behati Prinsloo. Vibrant red wool...
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Early 2000s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Azzedine Alaïa red ribbed knit fishtail dress. Sculpted figure. Circa 1990
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Bilbao, ES
Alaïa ribbed knit fishtail evening dress with nude knit underdress and zip fastening at the rear. Spring-Summer Mid 1990 Alaïa is revered for his indepe...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

1970s Jean Patou Burgundy Plum Silk Charmeuse Gown
By Jean Patou
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful 1970s Jean Patou Silk Charmeuse in Red Plum with long sash. Bust: 38"/ Waist: 28" / Length: 59" Sash/belt: 91" x 4" (see video)
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1970s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Oscar de la Renta Embroidered Silk Caftan with Matching dress New!
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oscar de la Renta 2 piece silk caftan Fashioned of rich tomato red silk with matching slipdress. Neckline adorned with heavily embellished gol...
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21st Century and Contemporary Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Previously Available Items
Christian Dior Haute Couture S/S 1988 Princess Caroline Yellow Silk Mini Dress
By Christian Dior, Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in Jersey City, NJ
A flowing buttercup yellow damask silk mini dress by Christian Dior Haute Couture, designed under the direction of Marc Bohan for Spring/Summer 1988 collection. This exquisite piece ...
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1980s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Christian Dior Long Red Silk Dress Haute Couture, 1981
By Christian Dior, Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Dior - (Made in France) Long red silk dress decorated with a golden metal jewel. No size indicated, it fits a 36FR. 1981 Fall-Winter Haute Couture Collection, under the direction of ...
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20th Century French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Christian Dior S/S 2017 Runway “Beautiful Bugs” Ivory Sheer Maxi Skirt-Size 6
By Christian Dior, Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Christian Dior S/S 2017 Runway “Beautiful Bugs” Ivory Sheer and Tulle Maxi Skirt-Size 6 This never used runway tulle embroidered maxi skirt was look 54 of the Spring/Summer 2017 Christian Dior Paris Fashion Week Show. This also was Dior - Maria Grazia Chiuri’s first collection as head designer for the fashion house. This very special piece has an array of insects/bugs and mini flowers in all colors embroidered on the outside sheer skirt, it also has 2 additional layers of sheer/tulle material to give fullness and body. The skirt was worn on the runway without the silk long slip...
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2010s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

A Cocktail Dress By Christian Dior Couture - Ligne Profilée - Autumn Winter 1952
By Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in Toulon, FR
Autumn Winter 1952 Paris Dress with large halter neckline in black silk ottoman, called Sonnet from the Profilée line - Christian Dior Haure Couture. Whalebone bustier with back zip,...
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1950s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Autumn/Winter 1977 Christian Dior Haute Couture Trench Coat with Fur Collar
By Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in Toronto, Ontario
It really does not get more fabulous then this Christian Dior Couture trench coat from the Autumn/Winter 1977 collection. At the height of her fame, Bianca Jagger was sitting front r...
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1970s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Long black silk jersey with gold metal decoration Christian Dior Couture numberd
By Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Long black silk jersey with gold metal decoration ( gold metallic passementerie and beads) and silk lining . Waist band with boned
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1960s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

1984 Christian Dior Haute Couture Rose Print Dress Suit
By Christian Dior Haute Couture, Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
Outstanding labelled and numbered 19816 spring/summer 1984 Christian Dior haute couture dress suit designed by Marc Bohan. The dress is entirely handmade in printed ivory silk and is...
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1980s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

French Skirt Suit Demi-Couture Christian Dior / Bérénice Marseille Circa 1968
By Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1968 France Checked Skirt Suit in wool demi-Couture Christian Dior signed by Bérénice Haute Couture in Marseille and dating from the Mode...
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1960s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

1958 Autumn Winter Yves Saint Laurent for Dior Couture Evening Dress & Jacket
By Christian Dior Haute Couture, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New Hope, PA
In September 1958 Harper's Bazaar wrote" The revealing of the bosom was Paris's most exciting new gesture particularly at Dior, where the raised waistline and shallow bodice emphasiz...
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1950s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

1980 Autumn/Winter Christian Dior Haute Couture Mink Trim Trench
By Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1980 Dior Haute Couture mink trimmed trench. Wide band of mink continues from the collar to the hem. Double breasted, side pockets, back is full cut with...
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1980s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

1980's Christian Dior Haute Fourrure Golden Sable Trimmed Coat
By Christian Dior Haute Couture, Christian Dior
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1980's Christian Dior Haute Fourrure luscious golden colored sable trimmed coat. Styled with gold button details almost as if the outer coat can be removed. Coat becomes satin trimme...
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1980s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

1979 Autumn-Winter Christian Dior Evening Gown & Jacket
By Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Beautiful slate grey four piece Christian Dior Couture moire silk and sequin ensemble from the Autumn/Winter 1979 collection. Spaghetti strap top with ...
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1970s French Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing

Christian Dior Haute Couture clothing for sale on 1stDibs.

Find an extraordinary range of authentic Christian Dior Haute Couture clothing available on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing our collection of unique vintage and designer fashion to elevate your daily look or to introduce new colors to the dazzling formal wear in your wardrobe, this designer’s body of work includes elements of pink and other tones. Most of the items here were designed during the 20th Century, but you can find examples that were created as recently as the 21st Century and Contemporary. Customers who are interested in this designer might also find the work of Alexander McQueen for Givenchy Haute Couture, Paul-Louis Orrier, and Bernard Perris appealing. On 1stDibs, find haute couture, vintage and designer Christian Dior Haute Couture clothing from top boutiques around the world. Christian Dior Haute Couture clothing prices can differ depending upon time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,119 and tops out at $15,000, while the average work can sell for $5,898.

Designers Similar to Christian Dior Haute Couture

Questions About Christian Dior Haute Couture Clothing
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 20, 2024
    Yes, Dior is haute couture.

    The French luxury fashion house Christian Dior is an official member of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), which is the governing body in France that determines which maisons can operate with haute couture status.

    When Christian Dior launched his haute 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.

    On 1stDibs, explore a wide range of vintage Dior apparel and accessories.

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