This is an incredible dress set with all three original pieces that would be from when Marc Bohan was head of the Dior atelier. It is a beautiful and early example of the work being produced by Christian Dior in this time period. This is the Christian Dior - London label and is considered to be demi-couture from this time period of Dior's history and this set in particular is numbered. These where made for the London market based on the runway designs and with many of the same high standard finishes that Haute Couture pieces incorporated. The line was created and designed by Jorn Langberg, Artistic Director of Christian Dior London. We were able to date this gorgeous set by the photo that appears in the November 1968 issue of Vogue. It is exceptional and the textile it is made from is one of the best I have seen from Dior. 

The fabric on this Dior set is jaw dropping. It is a woven gold silk lame brocade with a raised design that gives it remarkable texture. Depending on how the light hits it different aspects of the pattern come to play. It is just incredible. It is made from real metal thread and when you touch it it has a slightly metal feel to it. All three original pieces to the set are present. The very inner layer is a skirt that is suspended from a sleeveless top made out of lining fabric. This is a technique that you no longer see done because of the extra fabric it used and longer zipper requirements but it was the proper way to have a skirt hang perfectly and be the most comfortable for the wearer. Over this is a sleeveless shell that opens up completely down the back with a zipper. It is cut to perfectly fall just over where the skirt underneath begins. It is cut with the slightest of curving in at the waist and each side is notched. Over both of these sits a box cut jacket with glove length sleeves and a simple collarless cut. The jacket is cut on the generous side purposefully. That full shape on the top and more fitted skirt underneath is so representative of this time period and when done by the hands of a genius like Dior, still feels timeless and fresh. The entire set glows like burnished metal and the fabric is unbelievable in person. The photos don't come close to doing it full justice. It is a exceptional piece. Excellent condition with a few small items to note below.

The skirt and top are both interlined in a brown silk organza. The jacket is lined in a brown silk crepe. The inner dress/skirt and the top both closs with a back painted metal zipper. The jacket has no closures. The jacket and shell both have weighted hems. Ribbon edged finishes and hand finished throughout. The inner dress's has been let out and you can see where this was done down the side and along the darts. The silk lining in the shell is beginning to shatter in places. Slight fraying to some edges. All very minor in person and do not detract. Please see the photos after the label shot. The jacket is meant to be worn over-sized.

Inner Dress
Bust: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 19" from waist to hem

Shell
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23" from neck to hem

Jacket
Sleeves: 19"
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 25" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD1696

Reference Photos: (1) Photographed by Arnaud de Rosnay, Vogue US, November 1968 / (2-3) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

John Galliano was moved over from Givenchy to Dior in October of 1996 and stayed there until he was dismissed in February of 2011. The collection from about 2000 to 2011 are covered in full but the ones prior to that are harder to find the full information on. I believe this is a piece from around the time he switched over. During John Galliano's years at the house of Dior he arguably produced some of the most amazing bias cut gowns in the house's history. His work often hails back to the decadence and abandonment of the twenties and thirties in terms of their cut.  

This dress is beautiful. I love the soft tones and combination of yellows that have been used. It is made out of a bias cut silk chiffon whose pattern is a mix of a lemon yellow, a pale mint and deeper tangerine colour, all complimented with with pops of black and white. The design is laid out in a graphic chevron pattern that covers the entire dress. The dress is cut on the bias so that it skims over the body. The neckline is scooped at both the front and the back and the dress is suspended from wider cut straps that curve over each shoulder. There is no seam at the waist, instead it just drapes over the bodice and then falls to the hips. This gives is a very twenties feel. The skirt adds to this twenties feel with how it is set into the body of the dress. Panels of silk chiffon have been set with the pattern going a different way from the torso of the dress. It is sewn in with a series of points around the hips. This causes the skirt to have a lot of movement and it has a floating feel to it as you move around in it. To close the dress there is a tightly spaced row of his signature silk covered buttons and loops that run down one side of the dress. It is very light in weight and stunning on. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a bias cut off-white silk crepe. It closes with the series of buttons and fabric loops that run down the side. It appears to have been worn very little it at all. The bias cut should it to work on a range of sizes. The length does come up a bit once since it is cut on the bias.

Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD2437

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

The twin of this set walked the runway for the Fall 1977 Christian Dior Haute Couture collection. It was also used in a Vogue editorial and photoed by Roland Bianchini that season. In the 'Dior Catwalk' book, journalist Alexander Fury references this suit specifically in his write up for that season saying; "The designers autumn/winter collections proposed a series of equally glamorous ensembles, including the 'white silk jacquard pants suit with the white fox, white pearls and bareness underneath - a soft white camisole' that Vogue predicted would be the 'sure fire' bestseller that season. Trouser suit aficionado Bianca Jagger was in the audience and 'said she loved everything''. It is exceptional and a wonderful example of the work that Marc Bohan was doing for the house during this time period.

The set is made from a beautiful ivory colored silk that has a secondary pattern woven through it. That pattern is made up of little abstract shapes and I love that every once in a while one of the shapes in that design look like a little heart. The pants are cut with a straight leg so that they have a soft flow to them. Pockets lie along the seams on each hip. The jacket is a simple, almost box cut that ends just at the hip to perfectly balance the line of the pants. It can be worn open like it was shown on the runway or fully closed. I love the clear lucite buttons with their little silver capped tops that run down the front. They are the only embellishment on the piece and give it a subtle bit of glitz. On the front of the jacket there are three top set pockets for detailing. Each sleeve buttons to close and on the runway these were left open and flipped back for an easy feel. This is a true piece of fashion history and an amazing example of Bohan's work during this time period. It is even better in person. All proper Haute Couture labels present. Excellent condition with some small notes to review below.

Both pieces are fully lined. The jacket in a rich cream silk satin and the pants are lined in a slightly lighter version of the same silk. The set is entirely made by hand. The jacket buttons to close and pants close with a front painted metal zipper and hook & eye at the waist. Pockets on the jacket and pants. The pants have a slight line of a yellow mark at the lower front right leg near the hem. The jacket shows slight discoloration under the arms on the inside lining that does not go through. There is the very slightest darkening to the edge of the collar. All minor and it presents as excellent. Please see the photos provided after the label shot

Jacket
Sleeves: 21"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23.5" from neck to hem

Pants
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41" from waist to hem with 2.25" turned under the hems
Inseam: 30.5"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Reference Photos: (1) Christian Dior A/W Haute Couture 1977 Runway Show.  /  (2)  Christian Dior A/W Haute Couture 1977 Runway Show from the book "Dior Catwalk: The Complete Collections".  /  (3) Photo by Albert Watson, Vogue, October 1977.  /  (4) Photo by Roland Bianchini, Dior, 1977.

Item# DD2793

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This dress and coat set is extraordinary. After much research I have dated it to the mid-fifties while Christian Dior still presided over the house. You can see a striking similarity to the color and print in the examples shown here from the Haute Couture collections between 1954 and 1956. The label is the Modele Original label that was done one a custom order / custom made basis. The designs were based on the Haute Couture presentation from that season and then special ordered through the London store by clients. The work was considered to be demi-couture. It is not unusual to see variations and small changes from the runway line in these while still retaining the same color and line references found in the Couture examples.

Both the coat and dress are numbered and entirely hand finished and extremely well made. The silk used is very fine with a soft washed floral print screen onto the entire surface of both pieces. The dress is backed in a feather light silk organza while the coat is a double layer of the silk with the organza lining only found in the sleeves. Both pieces are so light that each of the two pieces have hand placed weighted hems in their interiors so that they fall and stay perfectly in place. The seaming is wonderful with the shape deliberately created through the placement of the seams. The inner dress has a voluminous cut that is wider and has more volume through the upper body and then narrows in towards the hips and hem. There is a small notched neckline anchored by a flat bow at the front and the back has a low slung flat bow and strap detailing set at the base of the small of the back. It is cut to be loose and full through the body and has an almost cocoon shape to it. The coat is cut with even more volume. These exaggerated lines and shapes perfectly showcase the feel of that era and would have been cutting edge then and still feel avant garde now. The evening coat is collarless and cut to sit almost off of the shoulders. On an actual body it has an almost slouched feel and the back puffs out tremendously in a beautiful curving swoop. The seams are all cut gracefully on a curve and the sleeves are to the elbow and wide. It is wonderful. Excellent condition with minor notes to review below

Both pieces are lined in hand set silk, the dress in an organza and the coat in the same silk as the exterior and silk organza through the sleeves. The dress closes at the back with a series of hook & eye and snaps at the back and a low set zipper under that. The coat has no closures. Hand placed weights in both pieces. Slight stress points at the corner of the lining under each arm. Please review the photos after the label shot. The dress is numbered 19013 and the coat 19012.

These were made to be worn over-sized. The hips on the dress do narrow down and there is no give there. The generous proportions should allow it to fit a range of sizes.

Jacket
Sleeves: 12.5"
Shoulders: 23"
Bust: 25.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 25.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 25.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40.5" from neck to hem

Dress
Bust: 22.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD2674

Reference Photos: (1) Dovima in Dior, 1956. Photo by Henry Clarke.  /  (2) Dior Afternoon ensemble, 1954 from the Chicago History Museum Collection.  /  (3-5) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This extraordinary dress by Marc Bohan for Dior is very well documented. A version walked the catwalk that season worn by none other than Ines de la Fressange and it was also photoed for the August issue of L'Officiel.

The dress is made from a pale silver grey silk taffeta. This fabric choice allows it to keep its bold silhouette and hold the shape that you see on my photos and the reference photos. This is the kind of dress that you can see just how much of an influence this shape is still having on our current catwalks. I feel that I have seen all the elements of the dress re-done in one way or another over the last few seasons. The shoulders and sleeves are particularly wonderful. They are cut on a slight curve to follow the shape of the arm. Pleats are set all around the shoulder to give them the height and volume that you see. They then narrow down to the wrists. You can see the Victorian era influence on this dress but it still feels fresh and modern. The neckline is high and buttons at the back and the bodice skims over the bust to the waist. At the back there is an open slit that runs all the way from the buttons at the neck to the waist. This sexy little flash of skin is unexpected and I love the contrast this detail has with the high level of coverage the dress has everywhere else. The waist is seamed and the dress has its original wide matching sash in the same silk that you can tie and cinch in the waist even more. I have tied it at the back in the same large bow in the way it was shown in the editorial photo. The skirt skims over the hips to the floor. On either side of the waist a large ruffle starts to form and this curves over the hips and then towards the back where it creates a gorgeous trained effect. A small ruffle peeks out from under there and finishes the front hem. It is gorgeous and I love when a piece is this well documented. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Unlined and closes at the back with a zipper set at the waist and silk covered buttons and loops at the back of the neck. A silk covered button and loop at each wrist. The matching sash is original. Note that it was a little small on the mannequin in the waist area and the opening is not that wide at the lower back when it is on a girl that it fits properly. There are some watermarks on the hem. Please see the photo after the label shot and before the reference photos.

Sleeves: 27"
Shoulders: no true shoulder seams
Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to front hem, 46" to back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD3406

Reference Photos: (1) Ines de la Fressange for Dior /  (2) Model in Christian Dior, L'Officiel, August 1981. Photographed by J-F du Sel des Monts.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This is an incredible dress set with all three original pieces that would be from when Marc Bohan was head of the Dior atelier. It is a beautiful and early example of the work being produced by Christian Dior in this time period. This is the Christian Dior - London label and is considered to be demi-couture from this time period of Dior's history and this set in particular is numbered. These where made for the London market based on the runway designs and with many of the same high standard finishes that Haute Couture pieces incorporated. The line was created and designed by Jorn Langberg, Artistic Director of Christian Dior London. We were able to date this gorgeous set by the photo that appears in the November 1968 issue of Vogue. It is exceptional and the textile it is made from is one of the best I have seen from Dior. 

The fabric on this Dior set is jaw dropping. It is a woven gold silk lame brocade with a raised design that gives it remarkable texture. Depending on how the light hits it different aspects of the pattern come to play. It is just incredible. It is made from real metal thread and when you touch it it has a slightly metal feel to it. All three original pieces to the set are present. The very inner layer is a skirt that is suspended from a sleeveless top made out of lining fabric. This is a technique that you no longer see done because of the extra fabric it used and longer zipper requirements but it was the proper way to have a skirt hang perfectly and be the most comfortable for the wearer. Over this is a sleeveless shell that opens up completely down the back with a zipper. It is cut to perfectly fall just over where the skirt underneath begins. It is cut with the slightest of curving in at the waist and each side is notched. Over both of these sits a box cut jacket with glove length sleeves and a simple collarless cut. The jacket is cut on the generous side purposefully. That full shape on the top and more fitted skirt underneath is so representative of this time period and when done by the hands of a genius like Dior, still feels timeless and fresh. The entire set glows like burnished metal and the fabric is unbelievable in person. The photos don't come close to doing it full justice. It is a exceptional piece. Excellent condition with a few small items to note below.

The skirt and top are both interlined in a brown silk organza. The jacket is lined in a brown silk crepe. The inner dress/skirt and the top both closs with a back painted metal zipper. The jacket has no closures. The jacket and shell both have weighted hems. Ribbon edged finishes and hand finished throughout. The inner dress's has been let out and you can see where this was done down the side and along the darts. The silk lining in the shell is beginning to shatter in places. Slight fraying to some edges. All very minor in person and do not detract. Please see the photos after the label shot. The jacket is meant to be worn over-sized.

Inner Dress
Bust: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 19" from waist to hem

Shell
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23" from neck to hem

Jacket
Sleeves: 19"
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 25" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD1696

Reference Photos: (1) Photographed by Arnaud de Rosnay, Vogue US, November 1968 / (2-3) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

John Galliano was moved over from Givenchy to Dior in October of 1996 and stayed there until he was dismissed in February of 2011. The collection from about 2000 to 2011 are covered in full but the ones prior to that are harder to find the full information on. I believe this is a piece from around the time he switched over. During John Galliano's years at the house of Dior he arguably produced some of the most amazing bias cut gowns in the house's history. His work often hails back to the decadence and abandonment of the twenties and thirties in terms of their cut.  

This dress is beautiful. I love the soft tones and combination of yellows that have been used. It is made out of a bias cut silk chiffon whose pattern is a mix of a lemon yellow, a pale mint and deeper tangerine colour, all complimented with with pops of black and white. The design is laid out in a graphic chevron pattern that covers the entire dress. The dress is cut on the bias so that it skims over the body. The neckline is scooped at both the front and the back and the dress is suspended from wider cut straps that curve over each shoulder. There is no seam at the waist, instead it just drapes over the bodice and then falls to the hips. This gives is a very twenties feel. The skirt adds to this twenties feel with how it is set into the body of the dress. Panels of silk chiffon have been set with the pattern going a different way from the torso of the dress. It is sewn in with a series of points around the hips. This causes the skirt to have a lot of movement and it has a floating feel to it as you move around in it. To close the dress there is a tightly spaced row of his signature silk covered buttons and loops that run down one side of the dress. It is very light in weight and stunning on. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a bias cut off-white silk crepe. It closes with the series of buttons and fabric loops that run down the side. It appears to have been worn very little it at all. The bias cut should it to work on a range of sizes. The length does come up a bit once since it is cut on the bias.

Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD2437

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

The twin of this set walked the runway for the Fall 1977 Christian Dior Haute Couture collection. It was also used in a Vogue editorial and photoed by Roland Bianchini that season. In the 'Dior Catwalk' book, journalist Alexander Fury references this suit specifically in his write up for that season saying; "The designers autumn/winter collections proposed a series of equally glamorous ensembles, including the 'white silk jacquard pants suit with the white fox, white pearls and bareness underneath - a soft white camisole' that Vogue predicted would be the 'sure fire' bestseller that season. Trouser suit aficionado Bianca Jagger was in the audience and 'said she loved everything''. It is exceptional and a wonderful example of the work that Marc Bohan was doing for the house during this time period.

The set is made from a beautiful ivory colored silk that has a secondary pattern woven through it. That pattern is made up of little abstract shapes and I love that every once in a while one of the shapes in that design look like a little heart. The pants are cut with a straight leg so that they have a soft flow to them. Pockets lie along the seams on each hip. The jacket is a simple, almost box cut that ends just at the hip to perfectly balance the line of the pants. It can be worn open like it was shown on the runway or fully closed. I love the clear lucite buttons with their little silver capped tops that run down the front. They are the only embellishment on the piece and give it a subtle bit of glitz. On the front of the jacket there are three top set pockets for detailing. Each sleeve buttons to close and on the runway these were left open and flipped back for an easy feel. This is a true piece of fashion history and an amazing example of Bohan's work during this time period. It is even better in person. All proper Haute Couture labels present. Excellent condition with some small notes to review below.

Both pieces are fully lined. The jacket in a rich cream silk satin and the pants are lined in a slightly lighter version of the same silk. The set is entirely made by hand. The jacket buttons to close and pants close with a front painted metal zipper and hook & eye at the waist. Pockets on the jacket and pants. The pants have a slight line of a yellow mark at the lower front right leg near the hem. The jacket shows slight discoloration under the arms on the inside lining that does not go through. There is the very slightest darkening to the edge of the collar. All minor and it presents as excellent. Please see the photos provided after the label shot

Jacket
Sleeves: 21"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23.5" from neck to hem

Pants
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41" from waist to hem with 2.25" turned under the hems
Inseam: 30.5"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Reference Photos: (1) Christian Dior A/W Haute Couture 1977 Runway Show.  /  (2)  Christian Dior A/W Haute Couture 1977 Runway Show from the book "Dior Catwalk: The Complete Collections".  /  (3) Photo by Albert Watson, Vogue, October 1977.  /  (4) Photo by Roland Bianchini, Dior, 1977.

Item# DD2793

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This dress and coat set is extraordinary. After much research I have dated it to the mid-fifties while Christian Dior still presided over the house. You can see a striking similarity to the color and print in the examples shown here from the Haute Couture collections between 1954 and 1956. The label is the Modele Original label that was done one a custom order / custom made basis. The designs were based on the Haute Couture presentation from that season and then special ordered through the London store by clients. The work was considered to be demi-couture. It is not unusual to see variations and small changes from the runway line in these while still retaining the same color and line references found in the Couture examples.

Both the coat and dress are numbered and entirely hand finished and extremely well made. The silk used is very fine with a soft washed floral print screen onto the entire surface of both pieces. The dress is backed in a feather light silk organza while the coat is a double layer of the silk with the organza lining only found in the sleeves. Both pieces are so light that each of the two pieces have hand placed weighted hems in their interiors so that they fall and stay perfectly in place. The seaming is wonderful with the shape deliberately created through the placement of the seams. The inner dress has a voluminous cut that is wider and has more volume through the upper body and then narrows in towards the hips and hem. There is a small notched neckline anchored by a flat bow at the front and the back has a low slung flat bow and strap detailing set at the base of the small of the back. It is cut to be loose and full through the body and has an almost cocoon shape to it. The coat is cut with even more volume. These exaggerated lines and shapes perfectly showcase the feel of that era and would have been cutting edge then and still feel avant garde now. The evening coat is collarless and cut to sit almost off of the shoulders. On an actual body it has an almost slouched feel and the back puffs out tremendously in a beautiful curving swoop. The seams are all cut gracefully on a curve and the sleeves are to the elbow and wide. It is wonderful. Excellent condition with minor notes to review below

Both pieces are lined in hand set silk, the dress in an organza and the coat in the same silk as the exterior and silk organza through the sleeves. The dress closes at the back with a series of hook & eye and snaps at the back and a low set zipper under that. The coat has no closures. Hand placed weights in both pieces. Slight stress points at the corner of the lining under each arm. Please review the photos after the label shot. The dress is numbered 19013 and the coat 19012.

These were made to be worn over-sized. The hips on the dress do narrow down and there is no give there. The generous proportions should allow it to fit a range of sizes.

Jacket
Sleeves: 12.5"
Shoulders: 23"
Bust: 25.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 25.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 25.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40.5" from neck to hem

Dress
Bust: 22.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD2674

Reference Photos: (1) Dovima in Dior, 1956. Photo by Henry Clarke.  /  (2) Dior Afternoon ensemble, 1954 from the Chicago History Museum Collection.  /  (3-5) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This extraordinary dress by Marc Bohan for Dior is very well documented. A version walked the catwalk that season worn by none other than Ines de la Fressange and it was also photoed for the August issue of L'Officiel.

The dress is made from a pale silver grey silk taffeta. This fabric choice allows it to keep its bold silhouette and hold the shape that you see on my photos and the reference photos. This is the kind of dress that you can see just how much of an influence this shape is still having on our current catwalks. I feel that I have seen all the elements of the dress re-done in one way or another over the last few seasons. The shoulders and sleeves are particularly wonderful. They are cut on a slight curve to follow the shape of the arm. Pleats are set all around the shoulder to give them the height and volume that you see. They then narrow down to the wrists. You can see the Victorian era influence on this dress but it still feels fresh and modern. The neckline is high and buttons at the back and the bodice skims over the bust to the waist. At the back there is an open slit that runs all the way from the buttons at the neck to the waist. This sexy little flash of skin is unexpected and I love the contrast this detail has with the high level of coverage the dress has everywhere else. The waist is seamed and the dress has its original wide matching sash in the same silk that you can tie and cinch in the waist even more. I have tied it at the back in the same large bow in the way it was shown in the editorial photo. The skirt skims over the hips to the floor. On either side of the waist a large ruffle starts to form and this curves over the hips and then towards the back where it creates a gorgeous trained effect. A small ruffle peeks out from under there and finishes the front hem. It is gorgeous and I love when a piece is this well documented. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Unlined and closes at the back with a zipper set at the waist and silk covered buttons and loops at the back of the neck. A silk covered button and loop at each wrist. The matching sash is original. Note that it was a little small on the mannequin in the waist area and the opening is not that wide at the lower back when it is on a girl that it fits properly. There are some watermarks on the hem. Please see the photo after the label shot and before the reference photos.

Sleeves: 27"
Shoulders: no true shoulder seams
Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to front hem, 46" to back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD3406

Reference Photos: (1) Ines de la Fressange for Dior /  (2) Model in Christian Dior, L'Officiel, August 1981. Photographed by J-F du Sel des Monts.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.