Wedding dress of cotton (muslin) and metal thread, designed by Christian Dior for C. D. Models (London) Ltd., 1953-53

Wedding gown of cotton muslin with lily motifs in metal thread. It has a high neck, three-quarter length sleeves, fitted bodice with nipped-in waist and a full-length, A-line skirt with a small train at the back.

This dress is made by Christian Dior’s London-based British company, Christian Dior Ltd., London. Originally established in 1952 under the name of C. D. Models London Ltd., with head offices at Stratford Place and an atelier in Maddox Street, Dior’s British business produced high-end ready-to-wear garments based on his Paris designs, adapted for a British clientele. They were sold through department stores and high-end boutiques and exported.

It is possible that this dress was the season ‘model’ or sample produced by C. D. Models (London) Ltd to promote the latest collection in fashion shows at the company’s showrooms, as it is unlikely that the wedding dress would have been subsequently produced in multiples for sale off-the-peg. It is also possible that this dress is the one included in the Berkeley Debutante Dress Show of April/May 1953 (there is a discrepancy in dates in multiple reports of the show, which give either 15th April or 5th May. It is possible two shows were staged). The Berkeley Debutante Dress Show was a fashion show held every year in aid of charity. Certain debutantes of the season were selected to take part as models and clothes were lent by a particular designer or store each year. In 1953 Christian Dior’s London company provided the outfits to be modelled and the show was held in aid of the N.S.P.C.C. (the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children). Photographs from the dress rehearsal of the show depict 17-year-old Lady Rose Bligh, daughter of the Earl of Darnley, wearing a wedding gown identical to this dress.

T.15-2020