‘Eventail’, Christian Dior, A/W 1956-7. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Iconic French fashion designer Christian Dior was born on this day in 1905. Apparently his wealthy family had plans for him to become a diplomat but luckily for us, the young Dior, who had a flourishing artistic talent, had ENTIRELY other ideas about his future.
To celebrate the anniversary of his birth, I thought I’d showcase some completely swoon inducingly gorgeous vintage Dior gowns from the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
‘May’, Christian Dior, S/S 1953. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
‘Nuit d’Aout’, Christian Dior, S/S 1954. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
‘Junon’, Christian Dior, A/W 1949-50. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
‘Venus’, Christian Dior, A/W 1949-50. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
‘Eugènie’, Christian Dior, A/W 1948-9. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
‘Chambord’, Christian Dior, A/W 1954-5. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Evening gown, Christian Dior, A/W 1953-4. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
‘Partie Fine’, Christian Dior, S/S 1951. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
‘Phyllis’, Christian Dior, S/S 1953. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Cocktail dress, Christian Dior, S/S 1956. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Oh if only I could fill my wardrobe with all of these gorgeous dresses. I think the cocktail dress is my favourite – it wouldn’t look over the top at the average summer wedding or dressy party, would it? However, and you have to bear in mind here that my sartorial tastes aren’t exactly mainstream, I think the dress that I like best has to be this evening underdress, which is actually designed to be worn underneath one of Dior’s extravagant evening gowns but really appeals to me on its own merits.
Evening underdress, Christian Dior, A/W 1955-6. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Oh yes, I can really imagine flouncing about in this. It’s perfect. Which one do you like best?
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