Dior at 116 This week the VFG honors the man who was arguably the greatest fashion designer in history. Christian Dior, who was born on January 21, 1905, was artistic and took to fashion sketching at a young age but it wasn't until 1946 that he achieved his great renown. In the 1930s, with the Great Depression and family deaths, Dior's path veered, but from 1937 he designed alongside Pierre Balmain at Robert Piguet. After WWII service in the French army, Dior worked again with Balmain, this time for the house of Lucien Lelong. In 1946, he founded his own fashion house, and soon after made a huge impact with his Corolle collection—the New Look, as Carmel Snow dubbed it. Quickly the restrictions of wartime seemed outmoded by voluptuous and voluminous silhouettes. Fitted, padded, cinched and lofty forms that accentuated the woman’s figure took hold and had a profound influence on fashion. In 1948, his pioneering licensing of furs, perfumes, and stockings further helped make Dior a household name. Yves Saint Laurent became Dior’s assistant in 1955, and succeeded him at his death in 1957. A succession of designers have reigned at Dior since. Besides Saint Laurent there has been Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons, and most recently Maria Grazia Chiuri. The extensive Dior exhibition at Paris’ Musée des Arts Décoratifs from 2017 to 2018, and the following year at the V&A in London, gave a new generation a first hand look at the virtuosity of Dior. (Be sure to watch the video Christian Dior, Designer of Dreams' at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.) Look for nipped waists and full skirts in this week's parade, along with fitted sheaths, and sleekly tailored suits à la Dior. We may throw in some vintage underpinnings for good measure. Add feminine touches such as gloves, flowers, sparkling jewelry, and both wide-brimmed and fitted 1950s hats. Who knows, maybe there will be some genuine Dior-labeled vintage fashion in this parade—attendez et regardez!
1950s fit and flare dress with definite inspiration from Dior, now in our main shop, The Vintage Merchant (on Ruby Lane). B26 W26 and this little foulard print Dior scarf/tie from the 1970s is now in our Marcy's Closet Vintage shop on Etsy. It's actually made to be tied in to a big fat "pussy bow" bow-tie!
1950s Christian Dior Cocktail Party Dress Brown Silk Chiffon - M Christian Dior Long White Kid Leather Gloves Made in France Ladies Size 6 1960s Christian Dior Silk Scarf Roman Emperor Bust 1960s Christian Dior Broadtail Lamb Fur Coat - Holt Renfrew - Sz S
1960s DIOR Bejeweled Felted Beaver Fur Bubble Hat 1980s DIOR Silk and Rayon Suit, US Size 6 1950s Reversible Peau de Soie Evening Coat 1960s Peau de Soie Party Dress 1950s Silk Bucket Hat with Matching Scarf
This is an unlabeled 1950s dress very reminiscent of Dior's 1949 scissor panels 1950s silk faille sheath dress Late 1950s gold silk satin dress and wrap
Make it yourself - with these patterns that were surely inspired by Monsieur Dior's ideas! 1950s ladies' suit pattern Ringier g19920 1950s ladies' suit pattern Ringier g10348 1950s cocktail dress pattern Simplicity 1153 McCalls 2370 - picking up Dior's New Look ideas in 1948 for this dress and jacket pattern
Vintage 1960s Miss Dior Created by Christian Dior Brown Fur Felt Hat My Vintage Clothes Line on Ruby Lane https://www.rubylane.com/shop/myvintageclothesline
My only actual Dior is a bit later, so not at all New Look, but I do love it! Late 1970s to Early 80s Christian Dior for Saks Printed Wool Dress Dior Inspired... Late 1940s Ellen Kaye Red Velveteen Dress with Black Buttons 1950s Black Velveteen Dress 1950s Green Taffeta Evening Coat, Vogue Paris Original, 1955 Jeanne Lanvin Castillo Pattern Did somebody say nipped waist?? 1950s Grey Horizontal Stripe Cotton Dress
I found this Dior beautiful collapsible umbrella from the 1970s - has fascinating complex workings unlike todays collapsible umbrellas .
