Pair of Evening Shoes
1952-1954 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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.
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.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Silk satin covered with applied gold braid, sequins, and paste |
| Brief description | Pair of silk satin evening shoes, designed by Christian Dior, Paris, 1952-1954 |
| 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. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Haute couture |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Christian / Dior / Paris' (Stamped on the lining) |
| Gallery label | Jewelled evening shoe
Christian Dior, Paris, 1952 - 1954
Museum number: T.147-1974
Worn and given by Mrs Loel Guinness(2007) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Loel Guinness |
| Object history | Part of the Cecil Beaton Collection, donated and worn by Mrs. Loel Guinness |
| Historical context | 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. |
| Associations | |
| Summary | 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. |
| Bibliographic reference | Fashion : An Anthology by Cecil Beaton. London : H.M.S.O., 1971
318 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.147&A-1974 |
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| Record created | May 17, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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