Christian Dior by John Galliano Lace-up Leather Jacket S/S 2002
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 20 in (50.8 cm)Marked Size: 8 (US)Bust: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Water Mill, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5116821372
John Galliano
Known for introducing rich theatricality and memorable fashion spectacles to the runway, John Galliano has enjoyed a singular career. The audacious British designer has garnered universal acclaim for genre-breaking collections not only at his eponymous label but also for Givenchy and Christian Dior.
From his embroidered absinthe-green Oscars gown for actress Nicole Kidman to the iconic sleeveless newspaper-print dress that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made famous, Galliano’s intricate and multifaceted work is reliably newsworthy, drawing on history as often as it embodies a fresh and forward-looking sensibility, and over the years the designer has helped shape an ever-broadening new legion of enthusiasts for Parisian couture.
Born in Gibraltar but raised in South London by strict Roman Catholic working-class parents, Galliano attended the all-boys Church of England grammar school, where his flamboyance and interest in art attracted the attention of bullies. Eventually, Galliano ended up at the prestigious design and art school Central Saint Martins College (then called Saint Martin’s School of Art), where fellow British designers Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen also trained.
Galliano flourished at Central Saint Martins. While a student, he worked in the costume department at the National Theatre in London. His graduate collection in 1984, dubbed “Les Incroyables” and named for post–French Revolution fashion lovers, was modeled by close friends of his and earned a standing ovation. The line ended up in the storefront windows of London luxury boutique Brown’s on South Molton Street, and Galliano’s first official collection — after he graduated — debuted at Paris Fashion Week in 1989.
In the early 1990s, Galliano’s relationship with his financial backer, Plein Sud’s Faycal Amor, ended, and by 1994, he was broke and sleeping on the floor of a friend’s apartment. Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour and then-Vanity Fair editor André Leon Talley stepped in and introduced the budding designer to Portuguese socialite and fashion patron São Schlumberger and others. At Schlumberger’s Hôtel Particulier, Galliano’s shows became the stuff of fashion legend. His collection, a blend of Japanese modernist style as well as nostalgia for Art Deco and 1940s’ tailoring, earned raves in glossy magazines and garnered the attention of Princess Diana, Madonna and other fashion luminaries.
Once the Galliano name was well known among the world’s most stylish set, the chairperson of LVMH, Bernard Arnault, appointed Galliano head designer of French fashion house Givenchy. One year later, in 1996, LVMH moved him to the design team at Dior, where he produced scores of celebrated looks for Dior Haute Couture. Today, Galliano is the creative director of Maison Margiela.
Shop vintage John Galliano evening dresses and gowns, handbags, jackets and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Christian Dior
When Christian Dior launched his couture house, in 1946, he wanted nothing less than to make “an elegant woman more beautiful and a beautiful woman more elegant.” He succeeded, and in doing so the visionary designer altered the landscape of 20th century fashion. Vintage Dior bags, shoes, evening dresses, shirts and other garments and accessories are known today for their feminine and sophisticated sensibility.
Dior was born in Granville, on the Normandy coast, in 1905. His prosperous haute bourgeois parents wanted him to become a diplomat despite his interest in art and architecture. However, they agreed to bankroll an art gallery, which Dior opened in 1928 in Paris with a friend.
This was the start of Dior’s rise in the city’s creative milieu, where he befriended Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau. After seven years as an art dealer, Dior retrained as a fashion illustrator, eventually landing a job as a fashion designer for Robert Piguet, and in 1941, following a year of military service, he joined the house of Lucien Lelong. Just five years later, with the backing of industrialist Marcel Boussac, the ascendant Dior established his own fashion house, at 30 avenue Montaigne in Paris.
Just two years after the end of World War II, the fashion crowd and the moribund haute couture industry were yearning, comme tout Paris, for security and prosperity, desperate to discard the drab, sexless, utilitarian garb imposed by wartime deprivation. They needed to dream anew.
And Dior delivered: He designed a collection for a bright, optimistic future. “It’s quite a revolution, dear Christian!” exclaimed Carmel Snow, the prescient American editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar, famously proclaiming, “Your dresses have such a new look.” The press ran with the description, christening Dior’s debut Spring/Summer haute couture collection the New Look. “God help those who bought before they saw Dior,” said Snow. “This changes everything.”
Dior’s collection definitively declared that opulence, luxury and femininity were in. His skirts could have 40-meter-circumference hems, and outfits could weigh up to 60 pounds. They were cut and shaped like architecture, on strong foundations that molded women and “freed them from nature,” Dior said. Rather than rationing, his ladies wanted reams of fabric and 19-inch waists enforced by wire corsets, and the fashion world concurred. The debut got a standing ovation.
In the subsequent decade, Paris ruled as the undisputed fashion capital of the world, and Christian Dior reigned as its king. With the luxuriously full skirts of his New Look, suits and his drop-dead gorgeous couture dresses and ball gowns worthy of any princess, Dior gave women the gift of glamour they’d lost in the miserable years of war.
On 1stDibs, find an exquisite range of vintage Christian Dior clothing, jewelry, handbags and other items.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Water Mill, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Early 1900s Elaborate Applique Collar JacketLocated in Water Mill, NYAn incredible rich black wool double breasted jacket from the early 1900's. It has long sleeves, small waist welt flap pockets and a rounded lapel collar with intricately cut elabor...Category
Early 1900s Unknown Jackets
- 1940s Full Length Coat with EmbroideryLocated in Water Mill, NYA rare embroidered full length black wool coat from the 1940's. It has a small stand up collar, padded shoulders and long slightly belled sleeves. The embroidery at the neckline and front chest is extraordinary with red flowers and leaves framed in gold thread. The waistline is slightly raised and the coat flares to the hemline. It is fully lined and closes with large hooks...Category
1940s American Coats and Outerwear
- 1940s Brass Studded JacketLocated in Water Mill, NYA stunning forest green wool jacket adorned with brass studs in an abstract pattern throughout. It has a tie at the neckline, shoulder padding and is fu...Category
1940s Unknown Jackets
- Moschino Jacket with Elaborate AppliqueBy Moschino Cheap and Chic, MoschinoLocated in Water Mill, NYA gorgeous navy wool jacket from Moschino with red grosgrain applique in abstract patterns front, back and along the sleeves. It has a navy velvet rounded lapel collar plus heart an...Category
1990s Italian Jackets
- Betsey Johnson New Faux Fur Hooded Maxi Coat 1990sBy Betsey JohnsonLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous black faux fur full length coat by Betsey Johnson. It has a hood, side seam pockets and long soft luxurious faux fur. It closes in the front with fur hooks and is lined ...Category
1990s American Coats
- Alexander McQueen New Fur Jacket A/W 2000By Alexander McQueenLocated in Water Mill, NYAn incredible rare black, shiny, soft, silky fur jacket from Alexander McQueen's F/W 2000 Eshu collection. It has a standup collar, V neckline, front fu...Category
1990s Italian Coats and Outerwear
- Verheyen London Cropped Edward Jacket in Leather with Faux Fur, Size uk 10By Verheyen LondonLocated in London, GBVerheyen London Cropped Edward Jacket in Leather with Faux Fur, Size uk 10 Handmade in London, made with 100% lambs leather and the highest quality of real like faux fur to match, t...Category
2010s British Jackets
- Verheyen London Cropped Edward Jacket in Leather with Faux Fur, Size uk 6By Verheyen LondonLocated in London, GBVerheyen London Cropped Edward Jacket in Leather with Faux Fur, Size uk 6 Handmade in London, made with 100% lambs leather and the highest quality of real like faux fur to match, th...Category
2010s British Jackets
- J. Mendel Black Persian Lamb Patchwork Cropped Vest sz XSBy J MendelLocated in New York, NYJ. Mendel Black Persian Lamb Patchwork Cropped Vest Made In: France Color: Black Materials: Persian Lamb Lining: Silk Overall Condition: Excellent Tag Size: Missing tag *Please ref...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vests
- James Galanos Vintage Rich Purple Wool Coat with Tie & PocketsBy James Galanos, GalanosLocated in Portland, ORThis is a beautiful vintage Galanos cool tone purple wool coat. This great coat has front pockets, a tie at the neck, and it closes with 3 front butt...Category
20th Century American Coats
- Escada Couture Black Velvet Evening Coat W/ Quilted Silk Ivory LiningBy Escada, Escada Margaretha LeyLocated in Portland, ORThis is a beautiful Escada couture vintage evening coat in black velvet. We always search for good evening wrap and coat options because they are so important to complete the look for special occasions! This vintage Escada black...Category
1980s German Coats and Outerwear
- F/W 2005 Christian Dior by John Galliano Black Diorissimo Monogram Trench CoatBy John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a Diorissimo monogram jacquard trench coat designed by John Galliano for Christian Dior's Fall/Winter 2005 collection. This piece is one of Galliano's more subtle Diorissi...Category
Early 2000s French Jackets
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How John Galliano Caused Fashion Chaos around the Globe
The visionary designer epitomizes the pleasures and perils of irrepressible creative genius.
The Best Ways to Dress for Your Astrological Sign
Makeup and astrology expert Linda Mason dispenses fashion advice for every zodiac sign. Does your wardrobe match your horoscope?