1990's Christian Dior by John Galliano Asymmetric Scarf Dress
View Similar Items
1990's Christian Dior by John Galliano Asymmetric Scarf Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1961406623
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.
- Oscar de la Renta Summer Late Day Evening Party DressBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Los Angeles, CAFabulous Oscar de la Renta crisp white organza party pouf from the designer's runway collection. The one being offered is identical to that in the runway photo below. The red and wh...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana Grunge Dress Early 1993-1994 F/W Museum, CollectorsBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Los Angeles, CARare 1993-94 F/W "Grunge look" by Dolce & Gabbana. Fashioned of draped layers of black and creme silk chiffon. Fitted bodice. Dress can be found in permanent museum collections. Se...Category
20th Century Evening Dresses
- Thierry Mugler Iconic Old Hollywood 1930's Inspired Dress Gown Wing Fin AccentsBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Los Angeles, CAThierry Mugler Siren gown inspired by Old Hollywood fashions of the 1930's. Fashioned of white pleated viscose in a halter style featuring "win...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Christopher Kane Lame Silk Concertina-Pleated Evening Dress New!By Christopher KaneLocated in Los Angeles, CAChristopher Kane raspberry pink silk lame gown. Features dropped arm holes, slight racer back, concertina-pleated skirt, dipped hem. Partially lined. Concealed back zipper. Impressiv...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses
- Lela Rose Summer Elegance Rosette Neckline Open Back Dress GownBy Lela RoseLocated in Los Angeles, CALela Rose ethereal and feminine signature style has defined her as the go-to designer for very special and romantic evening wear creations. Many celebrities are seen wearing her fashions. See photo of the gown on the runway. From Bergdorf Goodman, halter style gown...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- L'Wren Scott Bold Black White Geometric Pattern Halter Gown New!By L'Wren ScottLocated in Los Angeles, CAA bold entrance making creation by fashion designer L'Wren Scott (1967-2014). Known for her impeccable taste and style as well as for long slenderizing silhouettes, femininity and im...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
$3,040 Sale Price20% Off
- Giambattista Valli Ivory Crepe Sleeveless Wedding Gown Dress EU 40By Giambattista ValliLocated in New York, NYElegant Giambattista Valli ivory crepe sleeveless wedding gown has a delicate fitted bust, darts to accentuate the length of waist, which is finished with a stitched ribbon at the wa...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
$2,000 Sale Price20% Off - Elaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920sLocated in New York, NYElaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920s Indigo knee-length gauze Flapper dress with intricate beading of art deco style motifs in shades of indigo, blue and silver. Featurin...Category
1920s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- New LANVIN Duchesse Satin Vintage Gray Long Wedding Celebrity Gown US 2 4 FR 36By Lanvin ParisLocated in Goshen, KYSize: French 36 Brand: LANVIN Color: Light Dove Gray Season: Vintage Features: Strapless sweetheart neckline Draped detail throughout Ruffle detail at side Belt at waist Long leng...Category
2010s Wedding Dresses
- Tom Ford Crystal Embellished Statement Dress F/W 2011 Size 38ITBy Tom FordLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLTom Ford - Olive gray, Swarovski crystal lace embellished dress. The lace dress is lined in sheer nude fabric and has an invisible zipper for closure.Category
2010s Italian Evening Gowns
- Stanley Platos Organza DressLocated in Water Mill, NYEvening/Day Vintage Organsa Dress with Flower on the Side by Stanley Platos & Martin Ross for Bergdorf Goodman..Size 8Category
20th Century American Cocktail Dresses
- Iconic Dolce e Gabbana "Music" Dress F/W 2011By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Venezia, ITIconic Dolce e Gabbana "Music" Dress F/W 2011 - Seen on Kim Kardashian - NO RETURNS If you need information, please contacting us!Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
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.