Opening this weekend in Toronto at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is the ‘Christian Dior Exhibition‘ and this Vintage Gal is biting at the bit to see it. I know it’s going to be an incredible exhibit with some of the most stunning dresses in the world.

Christian Dior Exhibit at ROM Toronto

Why Dior? Vintage Dior is dreamy and of course historical because Christian Dior was the one who broke the wartime rigid mold of women’s fashion (mostly due to the rationing of fabric) and created the “New Look” in 1947. This look was filled with tight-fitting jackets with padded hips, petite waists, A-line skirts, and lots of use of fabric (as seen below). Quite a change from the previous decades of fashion and this look (plus extensions of this style) would go on to dominate the fashion world for several years.

1940s Fashion: 1947 Dior New Look Outfit.

“It’s quite a revolution, dear Christian! Your dresses have such a new look!” Carmel Snow, the former editor-in-chief of the American edition of “Harper’s Bazaar,” said these words after Dior’s debut fashion show in Paris, on February 12, 1947

(Source)

For today’s post I want to take a walk down memory lane of some of the most beautiful vintage dresses the house of Dior created between 1947-1957. Additionally, I have also included a video of a fashion show, vintage ads/covers and even dresses you can buy today (if you have the money).

The Fashions of Christian Dior 1947-1957

Dior New Look vintage modeling image of a woman posing in front of the Eiffel Tower in a two piece Dior Outfit.

Examples of Dior Dresses in Vintage Ads, Images & Museums

“Cherie” (Spring/Summer 1947) exemplifies the “New Look” in all its salient elements: sloped shoulder, raised bustline, narrowed waist, and a monumental volume of skirt falling away from a padded hip line to below the calf (Source).

Dior New Look 1947 / 1948 vintage dress. "Cherie" (Spring/Summer 1947) exemplifies the "New Look" in all its salient elements: sloped shoulder, raised bustline, narrowed waist, and a monumental volume of skirt falling away from a padded hip line to below the calf
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art

One of the biggest fans of the Dior New Look was Princess Margaret, seen below in the 1950s in a stunning dress (lots of fabric used in this dress).

1950s photo of Princess Margaret in Dior 1950s evening gown.
Source: Frock Advisor

Christian Dior 1947 Rose France Strapless Evening Gown fashion illustration.

Christian Dior 1947 Rose France Strapless Evening Gown fashion illustration. 1940s fashion.

Source: Pinterest

1949-1950 Dior Evening Gown.

Christian Dior 1949 1950 evening gown with a skirt that looks like a flower.
Source: The Lady and Him

Jean Patchett modeling a Dior Sarong style evening gown, 1951.

1950s photo: Jean Patchett modeling Dior sarong style evening gown, 1951
Source: Pinterest

Cygne Noir Dress 1949-50 from the Victoria and Albert Museum.

1940s Fashion: Christian Dior 1949 Dress From Victoria and Albert Musuem
Source: The Red List

Christian Dior with model Dorothy Emms reviewing one of his evening gown creations, 1952.

1950s Vintage Photo: Christian Dior with model Dorothy Emms reviewing one of his evening gown creations, 1952. 1950s fashion
Source: Another Mag

This image of a model wearing a gray Dior suit outside the Louvre Metro station was photographed by Mark Shaw in Paris in 1957 for LIFE magazine.

Christian dior vintage ad 1957 featuring a model wearing a Dior 1950s Dress outside the Louvre Metro station, Paris.
Source: The Red List

Christian Dior with models in his 1950s evening gowns.

1950s vintage photo / 1950s fashions: Christian Dior with models in his 1950s evening gowns.
Source: Another Mag

UK Vogue 1953 Magazine Advertisement for a Dior evening gown sold at Harrods London.

1950s Advertisement: UK Vogue 1953 Magazine Advertisement for a Dior evening gown sold at Harrods London.
Source: Pinterest

1952 Vintage Dior Ad for couture dresses. What a stunning Dior Dress on our lovely model!

Christian Dior 1952 vintage ad. 1952 Vintage Dior Ad for couture dresses.
Source: Pinterest

Vintage Dior Dresses

(updated April 2023)


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1954 Christian Dior Haute Couture ‘Lily of the Valley’ satin evening dress suit.

ABOUT THE DRESS: This line was called “Lily of the Valley” and placed a new emphasis on organic construction (the princess lines). The width of the bust evolves out of the stem of the waist which is anchored in the ground (hips and peplum). In comparison with other examples from this line, this piece was a pre-cursor of the H line which was shown in the fall / winter of 1954.

In the H line, the whole torso was outlined (the fitted jacket without a line cutting the waist) and was then mounted onto the flared full skirt. This was perceived at that time as youthful.

It was also expensive to mount a new line and the clients paid so much per piece for their acquisitions, changes were usually slow and incremental although the fashion press needed to accentuate any innovation, often out of all proportion to reality, to justify their existence.

Although the New Look was already 7 years old, its silhouette was still dominant. Dior was the most important house in Paris (in economic terms) at this time with everyone watching his line for leadership. However, experts could detect differences which were carefully monitored (Source).

1950s Fashion: 1954 Christian Dior Haute Couture 'Lily of the Valley' Satin Evening Dress Suit.

Source: 1stDibs.com

1950s Christian Dior New York black faille dress. A stunning dress, iconic and distinctly Dior!

1950s Fashion: 1950s Christian Dior Dress / 50s New Look Portrait Collar

Source: Etsy

Christian Dior vintage 1950’s red rose removable capelet dress (avail as of Jan 25th, 2020).

1950s Fashion: Christian Dior vintage 1950's red rose removable capelet dress

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1950’s Couture Christian Dior Dress & Jacket. Made in the most sumptuous twill silk, in a bold mustard yellow floral pattern on an near white background, a rare addition to your vintage wardrobe.

1950s Fashion: 1950's couture Christian Dior Dress Suit vintage 1950s floral Dior Dress and Jacket

Source: Etsy

Christian Dior Demi Couture Gold Silk Evening Dress With Detachable Shawl, 1950s.

1950s Fashion: Christian Dior Demi Couture Gold Silk Evening Dress With Detachable Shawl, 1950s

Source: Etsy

Vintage Wedding Dress Alert (stand out on your wedding day)! Vintage Christian Dior 1950’s Wedding Dress, Silk Brocade with full skirt.

1950s Fashion: Vintage Christian Dior 1950's Wedding Dress Designer Silk Brocade Full Skirt

Source: Etsy

Couture Dior 1950s Silk Taffeta and Lace Ballgown.

1950s Fashion: Couture Dior 1950s Silk Taffeta and Lace Ballgown
Source: 1stdibs

More vintage Dior dresses…..

1950s Christian Dior Dress / 50s Navy Blue Lace New look Dress.

1950s Fashion: 1950s Christian Dior Dress 50s Navy Blue Lace New look Dress
Source: Etsy

This is an incredible numbered Christian Dior from the 1950s.

1950s New Look Christian Dior Gold Silk Bow Dress -1950s Fashion.
Source: 1stdibs

Christian Dior 1956 haute couture numbered off white silk Femme Fleur look ball gown Wedding Made in France. Here is the dress and the image from a promotional ad (I love when you find the matching original image).

1950s Fashion: Christian Dior 1956 haute couture numbered off white silk Femme Fleur look ball gown Wedding Made in France
Source: Etsy
1950s Vintage Photo: 1956 haute couture numbered off white silk Femme Fleur look ball gown Wedding Made in France.
Source: Etsy

1950s Christian Dior Haute Couture Dress – 1959.

This is a rare Christian Dior Haute Couture dress by Yves Saint Laurent dating from automne-hiver 1959. While the silhouette is that of a simple cocktail dress, the construction and intricate pleating are impressively elaborate.

1950s Fashion: Christian Dior Haute Couture Dress - 1959

Source: Etsy

1950’s Christian Dior blue charcoal wool suit set (Avail as of April 2023).

1950s Fashion / Vintage 1950s Christian Dior: Blue Charcoal Vintage Wool Suit Set Blazer Wrapped Skirt

The jacket bears the Colifichets label which is quite meaningful, as it indicates that the set was part of the collection sold in the Colifichet boutique at the the Galerie Dior couture house at 30 Avenue Montaigne, Paris, during the years that Christian Dior was alive and director of the house (source).

Read all about (and see the amazing images) of the Colifichets Boutique in Paris.

1950s Fashion: 1950s Christian Dior Label from the famous Colifichets Boutique in Paris.

Source: Etsy – MoontideVintage

Dior on Video:

I also HIGHLY recommend checking out the movie “Mrs. Harris goes to Paris“. An enchanting tale of a seemingly ordinary British housekeeper whose dream to own a couture Christian Dior gown takes her on an extraordinary adventure to Paris. The movie was MAGICAL! I would watch it again and again. Here is the trailer….

I hope you enjoyed the beauty that is early Dior. I know I just loved putting this post together (gorgeous fashions).

Question Time: Do you have a favorite outfit featured above? If so share in the comments below!

FURTHER READING:

Liz 🙂