christian dior
S/S 1976 Christian Dior Haute Couture Pleated Silk Dress Set
The Marc Bohan for Christian Dior Haute Couture dress set is amazing and the attention to detail shown in every stitch is breathtaking. It is interesting to see the progression in his pleat technique from the A/W 1973 example that I also have in the shop here.
In this version the pleats are softer and the entire piece is made from them rather then the incorporation of the pleats into the design like how he made the earlier version. Also, the pleats in this 1976 set are carried over onto the caped topper. The dress and topper are entirely done by hand and the silk crepe used is of the highest possible grade. The dress is a simple affair with perfectly demure lines. The bodice is a simple tank with thin straps that curve up and over each shoulder. The waist is defined by a meticulous tightening of all all those pleats to form a tiny band. The skirt swings out in a full swirl of pleats - each is permanently pressed into the fabric and the result is hundreds of very fine and perfectly matched pleats. Remarkable when you realize that this is all created from one column of fabric from bodice to hem. There is a half slip meant to be worn under the skirt of the dress. This slip is also made entirely by hand and constructed from a fine silk crepe chiffon with a zippered waist. Over the dress sits a beautiful, light jacket that at first glance appears to be a cape, but it does indeed have sleeves. Each sleeve is cut extremely wide and full so they virtually blend into the swooping lines of the jacket. It is also fully pleated. The front is especially interesting as it has a single button at the neck and then appears to button down the front. However, upon close inspection you can see that this is a witty illusion as the buttons are set so they cannot possible close properly. It is meant to be worn open below the neck and simply mimics the look of a front closure. It is truly a brilliant dress and jacket set and when you see it in person you will be astounded at the level of craftsmanship and care put into the construction. Bonus points for the versatility you have by being able to wear the pieces as separates. A masterpiece. In excellent, museum quality condition.
In the present world of Haute Couture, a day dress starts at a price tag of $30,000US dollars. Starts. That is an incredible amount of money and easily makes a dress like this and priced for what it is here, a virtual steal. You also get the added exclusivity that automatically comes with the rarefied world of true Haute Couture and the truly limited productions of each piece. Haute Couture is the very pinnacle of the fashion experience and I would hazard to say that vintage versions are even a little more special then modern ones.
The silk is a heavy grade which allows the dress and jacket to be unlined, with a small silk chiffon placed in the upper portion of the jacket. There is also a matching slip made of silk crepe chiffon. All three pieces are completely made by hand as the parameters of Haute Couture dictates. The inner slip closes with a handset painted metal zip. The dress closes with the side with a fine painted metal zipper set by hand and the jacket buttons at the top of the neck only. All the other buttons are for show and design only. There is elastic in the waist. The set appears to have been never worn or worn very little. The Haute Couture tags are present on the slip and jacket with numbers 06882 and 06883.
Jacket
Sleeves: 18.5"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: open
Length: 23" from neck to hem
Dress
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from top of shoulder strap to waist
Skirt: 27.5" from waist to hem
Inner Slip
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 25" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD2713
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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SIZE GUIDE
Please review all measurements carefully. More often than not, vintage garments do not fit any size category exactly. If in doubt, measure a garment of your own that fits and is a similar cut and compare it's measurements to the listed measurements below.
