1983 Christian Dior Haute Couture Off White Organdy Strapless Dress
View Similar Items
1983 Christian Dior Haute Couture Off White Organdy Strapless Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 30 in (76.2 cm)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 29 in (73.66 cm)Hip: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2282765432
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.
- Early 1980's Vicky Tiel Mocha Gown with HoodBy Vicky TielLocated in Toronto, OntarioStunning long-sleeve hooded Vicky Tiel gown from the 1980's. Mocha colored jersey material is draped, with beaded leaf design on the left shoulder. Small loop buttons down bodice. Ex...Category
1980s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
$700 Sale Price22% Off - 1980's Vicky Tiel Black strapless gownBy Vicky TielLocated in Toronto, OntarioA fabulous 1980's Vicky Tiel black strapless gown. 100% silk and purchased at Bergdorf Goodman. The bodice is ruched and crosses over on the fron...Category
1980s American Evening Gowns
- Spring/Summer 2015 White Embroidered Silk Jacquard and Chiffon DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Toronto, OntarioBeautiful dress from the Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2015 collection by Sarah Burton. The off white silk jacquard features a small square and dot pattern. The sleeves and sides o...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1980's Oscar de la Renta Lavender Chiffon Beaded Evening DressBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Toronto, OntarioLavender silk chiffon beaded evening dress by Oscar de la Renta. Fabric has an all over devoree leopard print with white iridescent beading at the neckline and along the waistband. F...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses
- 1980's Never Worn Jean Louis Scherrer Lace and Satin Cocktail DressBy Jean-Louis ScherrerLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980's unworn silver lace and taupe satin cocktail dress with illusion neckline by Jean Louis Scherrer. French couturier known for his elegant designs. Upper bodice in silver lace th...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
$500 Sale Price50% Off - 1960s Pauline Trigere Turquoise and Grey Chiffon GownBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in Toronto, OntarioGorgeous chiffon gown from the 1960s by Pauline Trigere. The gown can be worn two ways, with or without belt. The delicate chiffon falls in a loose gather from the neckline and is de...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- 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
- Vintage 1960's Lilac & Gold Lurex Keyhole Dress UK 12-14 US 8-10Located in Cheltenham, GBA classic silhouette rendered in a lilac cotton weave with a gold lurex thread geometric woven pattern, this eye-catching 1960's dress is just the piece for your cocktail wardrobe. The stylised rounded mandarin collar is framed by a simple shoulder line and a sleeveless cut. The detailed bodice is accented by three teardrop shaped keyhole features along the front of the neckline. The fitted bodice is accented tailored darts along the bust-line and a fitted waistline. The timeless A line cut of the skirt, completes this dress in an iconic 1960's silhouette. Label: None Measurements of the Dress: Armpit to Armpit: up to 36 inches Shoulder to Hem: 52 inches Waist: up to 32 inches Hips: up to 41 inches Fastenings: This dress fastens with a 21 inch plastic zip and two hook and eyes along the nape Size: UK 12-14 US 8-10 Condition: This dress is in perfect vintage condition, with very gentle wear to the fabric along the back of the collar. Washing instructions: This garment should be dry cleaned Fabric: lurex woven thread, cotton Vintage garments have been previously worn and lovingly cared for, they may however have a blemish or two. Here at Willow Hilson...Category
1960s Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Pink Swirling Satin & Tulle Dress UK 6 US 2Located in Cheltenham, GBThis iconic 1950's dress, rendered in layers of pink tulle, with delicate circular satin details, is just the piece for that special occasion. The strapless cut of the dress, featu...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
- 2003FW Gianni Versace runway gownBy Gianni VersaceLocated in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZHIntroducing a breathtaking masterpiece: the mesmerizing purple Gianni Versace gown, expertly crafted by the visionary designer Donatella Versace. This remarkable creation hails from ...Category
Early 2000s Aesthetic Evening Dresses
$5,687 Sale Price20% Off - 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
- Geoffrey Beene White Bishop Sleeve Rhinestone GownBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis dress has so many unique details that make it such a must-have. Wear this as a wedding gown or to a red carpet event, no matter the occasion this dress will have you feeling ang...Category
Mid-20th Century 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.