Short evening dress of black silk poult with cross-over fabric knots, Christian Dior London, c. 1957

Short evening dress of black silk poult. Sleeveless with a V-neck and attached knots crossing over from the bust to the opposite hip, and tying in a knot detail. Full bell-shaped skirt. With silk lining, metal coil boning, and silk and nylon net petticoats.

Given by Mrs Felicity Pownall-Gray

Christian Dior founded his Parisian fashion house in 1946, with backing from the textile manufacturer Marcel Boussac. On 12 February 1947, the House of Dior launched its first collection. Dubbed the ‘New Look’ by the press, the collection had an instant and unparalleled influence on fashion around the world.

Following the success of his haute couture house in Paris, in 1952 Christian Dior set up a London-based company, C. D. Models (London) Ltd., to sell high-end ready-to-wear versions of his designs to the British public. Originally based in Stratford Place with workrooms in Maddox Street, the first collection of the London branch of Dior was launched at the Savoy Hotel on 10th December 1952. The London collection was based on the Paris haute couture collections but modified for a British clientele. In December 1954, the company changed name to Christian Dior London Ltd.

The dress is very typical of Dior c. 1957. Dior's final collection in 1957 was typified by tight, moulded bodices and bell-shaped skirts.

Registered File number 1985/190.

Attribution note: High-end ready-to-wear

T.141-1985