Detail: This is a spectacular vintage Christian Dior (New York Label) suit from the mid to late 1950s, exquisitely constructed from jet black wool jersey and velvet trim. Both skirt and jacket are fully lined in black silk. Classic Dior silhouette. Sleek three quarter length skirt with two kick pleats to the rear and several tuck pleats to the front waist band. The jacket is cut to emphaisis the curves; remember that Dior's extreme 'New-Look' had begun to relax at this point, so you'll be able to breath in this one! The collar contruction is very unusual, and possibly the most striking detail. This suit is perfect for any formal occassion and will require little more than serious heels to pull off what must be one of the key iconic looks of the mid 20th Century.
Period: Mid to late 1950s
Condition: Mint. Vintage Condition Guide
Size: Skirt: Waist 26.5. Hips upto 35.5. Length 30.5. Jacket: Shoulder from seam to seam 16.5. Sleeve from shoulder seam to cuff 21. Waist upto 30. Length 24. (inches). Size Conversion Chart
Colour: Jet Black
Material: Wool, silk lining and velvet trim
Origin: New York
Care: Specialist Dry Clean
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Fashion Designer Christian Dior (1905-1957) was born in Normandy, France. At his parents' insistence, he studied political science. After military service and several years of indecision, he returned to Paris in 1935 and began his design career by selling sketches. His hat designs were initially more successful than his dress designs. But he concentrated on his dress designs and was hired by Robert Piguet in 1938. During the war, he served in the South of France, then returned again to Paris in 1941 and worked for Lucien Lelong, a much larger design house. In 1946, he was able to open his own house, backed by textile manufacturer Marcel Boussac.
For his first collection in 1947, he created the extremely popular "New Look", which featured rounded shoulders, a cinched waist, and a very full skirt. Dior created an opulent clothing style which contrasted the severe living conditions of post-war France. After the war, he helped to re-establish Paris as the capital of world-fashion . Dior became the last great dictator of style in the 1950s. Each collection throughout this period had a theme - classic suits, ballerina-length skirts, the H-line in 1954, and A- and Y-lines in 1955.
Together with his partner Jaques Rouet, Dior was the pioneer for license agreements in the fashion business. Already in 1948, he decided to arrange licensed production of furs, socks, ties, perfumes, and clothing in regionally seperate production centers. Thus spreading the brand name quickly around the globe.
In 1953, he hired Yves Saint Laurent as an assistant. After Dior's sudden death in October 1957 in Italy, Saint Laurent became head designer and introduced the trapeze dress in his first collection for the house.
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