Dress

Christian Dior|House of Dior

1947 · wool · Costume Institute

Although Christian Dior had not yet designed a collection under his own name in 1947, he drew upon his experiences as a fashion illustrator and design assistant to create his first line. Dior called it the "Corolle Line" but editors immediately dubbed it "The New Look" collection and their praise launched Dior's career. This day dress exemplifies Dior's silhouette of 1947. The exaggerated hipline is created by a haircloth interlining, while the midriff is tight and elongated and the shoulders somewhat broad and square. The very full pleated skirt has a weighty quality to it. The length and fullness of the skirts in this collection heralded the end of the fabric rationing which had had a marked effect on fashion for the duration of the second World War.

Artist

Christian Dior|House of Dior

Date

1947

Medium

wool

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Bettina Ballard, 1952