Dress

Christian Dior|House of Dior|Christian Dior, New York

1948–49 · silk, wool · Costume Institute

The success of Christian Dior's company during the 1950s relied in part upon his shrewd use of licensing agreements and the ready-to-wear line Dior quickly developed after launching his debut collection in 1947. Christian Dior-New York began in 1948, this dress may be among the first pieces sold under that label. The ready-to-wear line allowed a new group of consumers who did not wear couture to purchase Dior garments. This dinner dress retains many of the Dior hallmarks: the full, pleated skirt, bracelet-length sleeves and high breast pockets. The soutache braid creates a striking visual effect. The fact that the dress was never altered from its original "New Look" length makes it a rare survivor from the earliest period of Dior prêt-à-porter.

Artist

Christian Dior|House of Dior|Christian Dior, New York

Date

1948–49

Medium

silk, wool

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Virginia Rice, 1971