Muslin

Christian Dior|House of Dior

1953 · cotton · Costume Institute

Two rare surviving half muslins by Dior are part of the Brooklyn Museum collection, this example and another from the same donor (2009.300.2799). An intrinsic step in the creation of a couture garment, toiles (as they are commonly known), rarely survive outside the designer's atelier where they are used to work out adjustments to the design for each client during the fitting process. These examples, as well as the Brooklyn Museum's extensive collection of Charles James toiles and working models, offer a rare glimpse into the design process that precedes the creation of a finished couture garment.

Artist

Christian Dior|House of Dior

Date

1953

Medium

cotton

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 Sylvia Franklin, 1955