christian dior
Rare Pre-Fall 2011 Christian Dior by John Galliano Mini Dress Backless Plunge Mini Dress
This is an incredible dress that is the twin of the dress that was Look 5 from the Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2011 collection. This collection was shot as a lookbook which gives you an amazing glimpse into his styling process. At the time Dior said this of John's collection: ”Dior’s Fall ready-to-wear collection takes its inspiration from the legendary love affair between Mrs. Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII. English romanticism is channeled into Balmoral fringed tweeds and candy-coloured tartans with Prince of Wales checks. Ultimate luxury and expertise create evening glamour in elegant draped gowns and head to toe sequins to ensure that every head is turned.” Vogue commented that: "John Galliano galloped the Duchess of Windsor through This Is Your Life, with richly hued musings on what Wallis Simpson in her prime might've worn at specific times of day and across the decades." For the lookbook the Dior team took these pieces and styled them in lavish settings to play on this theme making them feel thoroughly Galliano. This was one of the best pieces of the collection and I love having the photo reference from that lookbook so that you can see just how creative it can go styling wise. This was John's second last collection for the house before being dismissed and his last where he was present for its presentation.
The dress is a play on a flapper dress with a soft tartan inspired check blown up to be oversized and then softened with more pastel coloured version of red and blue. It is printed on a silk chiffon to further soften the feel of the print and give it a romantic vintage feel. The dress has the same long lines as a flapper dress but with a far more sexual twist. It can be worn longer and more straight on the body or you can hike it up to be super short and have that incredible top blouse over as I have done in the majority of these shots. The front is plunged right to the waist and then crossed over itself at the base where it meets the seam. I photoed one front, side and back shot with the dress fully extended down so you can see the full lines of it. The triangles of the two bust pieces extend up and around the neck where it ties into place leaving the tie to trail down your back. The back is left completely bare and it is scooped open right to the waist where is blouses out slightly. It is meant to convey the decadence and abandonment of the twenties with the feeling that with the slightest movement you will fall out of the dress. Yet it has a genius cut so that you are covered. A band of silk gathers and wraps around you at the top of the hip and this is what allows you to pull the dress higher or lower on your hips. The skirt falls under that in a flaring flirty bit of fabric that has tremendous movement. I love that he still worked in his signature tightly spaced silk covered buttons down one side and how there is a little bow at the top of the skirt on each hip. These little details are always what makes a Galliano designed piece that much more special. The last detail is the green and red lace that edges the dress. It has been stiffened and has deliberate raw edges to further play on that feel of the dress being a piece from the past. It is laid out over a band of ivory velvet and this last little touch ties everything perfectly together. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition with a minor note below
Fully lined in a fine pink-salmon coloured silk. It closes with the buttons down the side and ties around the back of the neck. At some point someone added a snap under the front where it crosses to make it a little more secure. I have left it but it could easily be removed if you wished. I see a bit of residue on the lining of one halter where a double sided tape was used. Tagged a Dior F 36, GB 8, IT 40, US 4. Note that this was very difficult to measure and depending on where you want the band to sit it should fit a range of sizes
Bust: no true side seam and each halter will easily cover a full range of cup sizes
Waist/top of hip at seam: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam and expanding to 17.5 at the bottom seam of the band
Bodice: to approx 21" from top of bodice to top seam of the waist/top of hip
Band: 4"
Skirt: 14" from waist to longest points of the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD4036
Reference Photo: Pre-Fall 2011 Christian Dior, Look 5. Model: Alina Baikova.
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.
