Dinner suit

Christian Dior|House of Dior

fall/winter 1955 · wool, silk, beads, rhinestones · Costume Institute

In his fall-winter 1956 collection, Dior experimented with layering, creating suits that offered equally "finished" looks whether or not the jacket was worn. In this example, the suit, in a striking cherry-red wool, transformed into a smart red and black dinner dress when the client removed her jacket, completely changing her look. The beaded trim at the neckline of the velvet blouse offers a tasteful bit of ornamentation to an outfit which serves as an example of Dior's precise tailoring.

Artist

Christian Dior|House of Dior

Date

fall/winter 1955

Medium

wool, silk, beads, rhinestones

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 Henry Rogers Benjamin, 1965