Christian Dior Cold-Shoulder Silk Chiffon Bayadere Dress, Circa 1978
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Some pulled threads in the silk chiffon like pictured on photo no 14.
- Seller Location:Geneva, CH
- Reference Number:Seller: 1DJD06161stDibs: LU5607000042
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. 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Geneva, Switzerland
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Yves Saint Laurent Smocked Floral-Print Silk-Chiffon Maxi DressBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Geneva, CHCut from airy sheer silk chiffon, this rare early 70s Saint Laurent Rive Gauche maxi dress is shirred from under the chest to the hips for a flattering - though comfortable - closer ...Category
1970s French Maxi Dresses
- Arnold Scaasi Off-The-Shoulder Ruched Floral-Print Cocktail DressBy Arnold ScaasiLocated in Geneva, CHOversized florals, bold colors and ruched silhouettes have flooded the collections for at least two seasons. So this genuine 80s Arnold Scaasi dress is completely in trend ! Finished...Category
1980s Cocktail Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Knit & Tulle Mini Dress, Fall-Winter 1988By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Geneva, CHAnthony Vaccarello has dived into Saint Laurent's archives once more ! We can find a close inspiration of this original 80's dress in the current 2019 Fall-Winter collection (see pic...Category
1980s French Mini Dresses
- Emilio Pucci By Christian Lacroix Printed Stretch-Jersey Dress, Fall-Winter 2003By Christian Lacroix, Emilio PucciLocated in Geneva, CHSince the beginning of the 50's until today, the Italian - Florentine based - label has celebrated color, movement and bold, exuberant prints. From the 2003 Fall-Winter collection wh...Category
Early 2000s Italian Sheath Dresses
- Alaia Knit Fitted DressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Geneva, CHThis recognizable 90's Alaïa slim-fit viscose knit black dress is designed to flatteringly follow the silhouette. It nips-in at the waist and features a scoop collar. The dress can a...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dresses
- 1960's Silk Chiffon Halterneck DressLocated in Geneva, CHA wonderful example of early 60’s couture, this halterneck steel blue dress will fit perfectly for a wedding or any party event ! Constructed both in silk and satin silk, this piece features a bustier bodice which is covered with two softly ruched silk chiffon strips. The bustier underdress, with its sweetheart neckline, conceals a large modern internal elasticated belt for extra support to the boned structure. As light as air, a fully gathered chiffon skirt provides a very feminine silhouette. This airy dress...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN green silk PLATOS ATLANTIS PRAYING MANTIS GOWN Dress LBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Zürich, CHAlexander McQueen 'Praying Mantis' empire down in green silk (100%) with a round neck and is sleeveless. This collector piece is from the SS 2010 Platos Atlantis collection. Flares f...Category
2010s Unknown Cocktail Dresses
- Alberta Ferretti Gray Cotton Vintage Off Shoulder DressBy Alberta FerrettiLocated in Brindisi, BtAlberta Ferretti 90s vintage off shoulder dress. Short dress with sweetheart neckline, gray with white stitching. Zip closure along the chest, on th...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Antik Batik Pink Silk Leather Kaftan Blouson DressLocated in Brindisi, BtAntik Batik women's vintage short dress. Powder pink color, 100% silk, applications sewn by hand 100% leather. V-neckline, elasticated waist belt, lined. 1...Category
1990s Indian Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- Brunello Cucinelli Sport Grey Cotton Strech Day EnsembleBy Brunello CucinelliLocated in Bilbao, ESBrunello Cucinelli Sport Grey Cotton Strech Day Pool Ensemble Strech oversize cardigan and over shirt material: 75% Cotton & 25% Liurex Size Large Made in Italy *Orders welcome all goods are insured and we package all purchases to a high standard PRADERA Fashion Division...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Dresses
- 1960's Pucci Blue & Green Printed DressBy Emilio PucciLocated in Toronto, OntarioClassic silk jersey dress from the 60's, a combination of blue, green and black Pucci print. Looks great for all seasons. Zipper up the back of the neck. In excellent vintage condition.Category
1960s Italian Sheath Dresses
- Gucci Long Square G Lamé Dress size MBy GucciLocated in Brossard, QCBrown polo collar Front button placket Long sleeves Drawstring waist Pleat detailing Sllover Square G pattern Made in Italy Composition: Viscose 80%, Metallic Fibre 20% Fits true to ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Maxi Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Too Soon for the Return of ’90s Fashion? As If
There's a renewed appreciation for the era's aesthetic, perhaps most notably among millennials seeking authentic, easy style.
14 Iconic Luxury Handbags and the Stories behind Them
When the name of a bag is as well-known as its brand, you know it's a classic.