Christian Witkin Art

Christian Dior is so famous because he helped to set women's fashion trends of the 1940s and 50s. His designs marked a departure from the simpler looks popular during World War II, with feminine details like longer hemlines, fuller skirts and cinched waists. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Christian Dior apparel and accessories.

Yes, Christian Dior and Dior are the same. The French couturier Christian Dior founded his eponymous house in 1946. The brand is commonly known as simply Dior.

After seven years as an art dealer in Paris, the Granville-born 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.

Dior's New Look — the silhouette introduced by the couturier with his first namesake collection in 1947 — featured gowns characterized by soft, rounded shoulders; a prominent bust; waspish waistlines; and long, voluminous skirts. Dior’s work definitively declared that opulence was in, and his return to a “pretty,” highly feminized style was a direct reaction to years of wartime austerity. 

Find 1950s Dior dresses, bags and accessories on 1stDibs.

The fabrics Christian Dior used included cotton, wool and silk. And, in the late 1940s, in an era of rationing materials and wartime austerity, the legendary couturier’s New Look collection definitively declared that opulence, luxury and femininity were in.

Dior’s debut Spring/Summer haute couture collection, christened “The New Look” by the fashion press in 1947 owing to its novelty, is characterized by soft, rounded shoulders; a prominent bust; waspish waistlines; and long, voluminous skirts. His return to a “pretty,” highly feminized style was a reaction to the miserable years of war, and this cinched-waist, ladylike ideal quickly became the predominant silhouette of the 1950s.

Dior’s 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. Buyers paid to attend his official fashion shows, and his models demurely strolled through a salon in the maison, its interiors bedecked with moldings, sconces and gilt-edged mirrors.

Dior introduced lavish hourglass ball gowns and evening dresses while his Bar Suit comprised an ivory silk-shantung jacket with soft shoulders, nipped waist and padded hips over a voluminous black wool skirt. Rather than rationing, Dior’s ladies wanted reams of fabric and 19-inch waists enforced by wire corsets, and the fashion world concurred.

Find 1950s Dior dresses and other vintage clothing on 1stDibs.

Yes, Christian Louboutin is a luxury brand. The iconic red-soled shoes by Christian Louboutin (b. 1963) have made it onto almost every red carpet since the French designer opened his first boutique in Paris in 1992. His fantastical heels have gained attention and praise for their provocative heights and arching shapes, leading the designer to be nicknamed the “King of Stilettos.” Shop a range of Christian Louboutin pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Some Christian Dior products are made in Germany. The German designers, Henkel and Grossé, were active in the 1950s and onwards. Their designs can be recognized by a “Made in Germany” stamp. Shop a collection of vintage and new Christian Dior bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

Yes, Christian Dior makes jewelry. The French luxury fashion house offers many fine jewelry pieces, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets and wedding and engagement rings. In addition, Dior has a line of more economically priced fashion jewelry. Shop a range of Christian Dior jewelry on 1stDibs.

No, Christian Louboutins generally do not run small. The luxury fashion house states that it aims for true-to-size sizing but explains that each person's foot is unique. As a result, Christian Louboutin recommends that you measure your foot and compare it to its official size chart prior to purchasing a pair of shoes. Explore a collection of Christian Louboutin pieces on 1stDibs.

Yes, Christian Louboutin does have sales. The French luxury brand offers sales on select pieces at both its online stores and brick-and-mortar boutiques at different times throughout the year. Authorized online and brick-and-mortar retailers may also discount select styles or offer promotions at various times, such as for Black Friday or at the end of the season. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Christian Louboutin shoes and accessories.

Yes, Christian Louboutin does men's shoes. Oxfords, loafers and boots are some of the styles featured in the luxury fashion house's men's line. Find an assortment of Christian Louboutin shoes on 1stDibs.

Christian Dior used natural fabrics in his designs. The most common ones were cotton, silk and wool. Most of the fabrics came from Europe. You'll find a variety of vintage Christian Dior apparel from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Christian Dior apparel and accessories are made in a number of locations. Shoes and ready-to-wear apparel come from factories in France and Italy, while workshops in Switzerland manufacture watches. Parisian ateliers produce all of the French luxury fashion house's jewelry. Sunglasses and scarves originate from Italian artisans. Shop a selection of Christian Dior apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.

After seven years as an art dealer, Christian Dior retrained as a fashion illustrator, eventually landing a job as a fashion designer for French fashion designer Robert Piguet. In 1941, following a year of military service, Dior joined the fashion house of Lucien Lelong. Five years later, he was able to open a fashion house of his own at 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris. At 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of vintage and modern Christian Dior clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques.

To tell if Christian Louboutin sneakers are real, first grab a magnifying glass and look closely at the stitching along all the details of the upper part of the shoe. The French luxury fashion house has exceptionally high quality standards, so you're unlikely to see misaligned, uneven or loose stitching on an authentic pair of the brand's sneakers. Next, compare the brand marking on the insole to images of real sneakers shared on trusted online resources. If you notice any inconsistencies, your sneakers may be counterfeits. If you need help with identification, use the services of a certified appraiser or other knowledgeable expert. Find an assortment of Christian Louboutin sneakers on 1stDibs.

Whether or not Christian Dior jewelry is real gold depends on the type in question. Dior often uses genuine 18-karat gold for its fine jewelry pieces. Fashion jewelry is usually not real gold. Instead, the brand applies a gold-tone finish to a base metal. Silver-tone pieces typically feature the same base metal under a layer of palladium. Find a large collection of Christian Dior jewelry on 1stDibs.

No, Dior does not make nightgowns. A number of the French luxury brand’s vintage nightgowns can be found online from a variety of platforms, and while Dior garments are among fashion’s most collectible items, treasure hunters may be able to track down Dior slip dresses by visiting a favorite reseller’s physical storefront. Find an alluring assortment of vintage Christian Dior slip dresses and other dresses from top boutiques on 1stDibs.