Christian Dior employed shoe designer Roger Vivier to design shoes to go with his fantasy romantic gowns, and these evening shoes, encrusted with gold braid, paste stones, and sequins, represent the ultimate in luxury footwear.
Only the most wealthy members of society could afford Dior gowns and accessories. The donor of these shoes, Mrs. Loel Guinness, had married into one of Europe's richest families, and she patronised the key designers of the golden age of couture - Dior, Balenciaga and Givenchy.
Physical description
Pair of evening shoes, slingback style with a low heel. Hot pink silk satin completely encrusted with gold braid, sequins and paste jewels. They have almond toes.
Place of Origin
Paris, France (made)
Date
1952-1954 (made)
Artist/maker
Dior, born 1905 - died 1957 (designer)
Materials and Techniques
Silk satin covered with applied gold braid, sequins, and paste
Marks and inscriptions
'Christian / Dior / Paris'
Dimensions
Height: 9 cm, Width: 8.3 cm, Length: 24 cm
Object history note
Part of the Cecil Beaton Collection, donated and worn by Mrs. Loel Guinness
Historical context note
Gloria Guinness (nee Gloria Rubio y Alatorre, 1912-1980) was an elegant socialite and writer of the mid 20th century.
Her third husband, whom she married in 1951, was Group Capt. Thomas Loel Guinness, a Member of Parliament (died 1989) and an heir to the Guinness beer fortune.
She was voted 'Best Dressed Woman' in the world by Time magazine in 1962 behind Jackie Kennedy in first place. (See Time magazine Jan 26 1962)
She owned seven homes, with a full wardrobe in each so that she would never have to pack or wait at customs. She spread her patronage widely, and amongst donations to the V&A of pieces by Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy etc., are pieces by lesser known couturiers such as Chaumont and Lafaurie.
Descriptive line
Pair of silk satin evening shoes, designed by Christian Dior, Paris, 1952-1954
Exhibition History
Gallery 40 shoe display in case P12 (single shoe) (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/2007-31/12/2007)
Fashion: an anthology by Cecil Beaton (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/1972-31/12/1972)
Labels and date
Jewelled evening shoe
Christian Dior, Paris, 1952 - 1954
Museum number: T.147-1974
Worn and given by Mrs Loel Guinness [2007]
Associated names
Cecil Beaton; Guinness, Loel
Materials
Sequins; Silk satin; Gold braid; Paste gems
Techniques
Applied work; Shoe-making
Categories
Footwear; Fashion; Evening wear; Accessories; Women's clothes
Production Type
Haute couture
Collection code
T&F
