Christian Dior Numbered Haute Couture Navy Wool Skirt Suit, Spring / Summer 1989
About the Item
- Designer:Probably Marc Bohan
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Bust: 39.4 in (100.08 cm)Waist: 33.8 in (85.86 cm)Hip: 42.5 in (107.95 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Munich, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU78533296453
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: Munich, Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- 1977 Roberta di Camerino Black Red Jersey Signature Belt Print Two Piece DressBy Roberta Di Camerino, Giuliana Coen CamerinoLocated in Munich, DEThis jersey blouse and skirt set features a signature trompe l'oeil belt print in red and white on a black background with the iconic "R" printed in between. The blouse has an open c...Category
1970s Italian Day Dresses
- Custom-Made Metallic Gold and Black Lurex Velvet Bustier Coat Evening EnsembleLocated in Munich, DESpectacular custom-made bustier top and matching evening coat ensemble in soft gold to black shimmering lurex velvet. The bustier features a strapless design, a sweetheart neckline, ...Category
1990s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Emilio Pucci 1971 “Rosa“ Print Black Brown Blue Silk Blouse & Velvet Pants SetBy Emilio PucciLocated in Munich, DEThis stunning 1971 silk chiffon blouse and cotton velvet palazzo trousers hostess ensemble features the “Rosa“ print, one of Emilio Pucci's fabulo...Category
1970s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Yves Saint Laurent YSL Numbered Haute Couture Red Silk Tunic/Skirt EnsembleBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Munich, DEThis early 2000s Yves Saint Laurent tunic and skirt set is made from scarlet red very delicate raw silk. The straight-cut tunic top features a demure neckline, long sleeves (cut in o...Category
Early 2000s French Day Dresses
- 1989 MOSCHINO COUTURE Red I Love Venice Lion Appliquéd Jacket & Pant SuitBy Franco Moschino, Moschino CoutureLocated in Munich, DEEarly Moschino pieces designed by Franco Moschino himself – often referred to as Italian fashion's "enfant terrible" – within the short period when he launched the House of Moschino in 1983 until he passed away in 1994 are sought after and highly collectible. This treasure, like several others that are already available in the shop comes direct from a German socialite and fashion collector so has not been on the market prior to this. Crafted in Italy, the exceptional and rare vintage Moschino Couture jacket and trousers suit is part of Franco Moschino's coveted Cruise Me Baby collection from 1989. When designing it Franco Moschino obviously had the Venetian flag...Category
1980s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- A/W 1990-91 MOSCHINO COUTURE Red Needle Motif Huge Buttons Jacket & Skirt SuitBy Moschino, Moschino CoutureLocated in Munich, DEEarly Moschino pieces designed by Franco Moschino himself – often referred to as Italian fashion's "enfant terrible" – within the short period when he launched the House of Moschino ...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- Dolce & Gabbana black viscose ruched harem jumpsuit, ss 1991By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Milano, IT- Ruched cropped crotch - Sold by Skof.Archive - Hidden zipper on the back - Hight Waist - Harem Pants - Spring Summer 1991 Size: FR 38 - IT 42 - UK 10 - US 6 (EU) Measurements...Category
1990s Italian Jumpsuits
- 1980s Vintage MISSONI Harlequin silk skirt / vest / Top - 3 piece setBy MissoniLocated in COLLINGWOOD, AURARE Vintage 1980's MISSONI HARLEQUIN SILK skirt / vest / Top A truly unique outfit that can be pulled apart to be worn separately. 3 piece set MULTI COLOURED SILK KNIT Vest ...Category
1980s Italian Skirt Suits
- Gucci by Tom Ford black croc embossed evening pant suit, ss 2000By Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in London, GBGucci by Tom Ford black croc embossed flared pant suit with silver diamanté clasp fastening. Spring-Summer 2000Category
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Gianni Versace black lycra and mesh pant suit, ss 2003By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBGianni Versace black lycra and mesh pant suit with gold tone zip fastenings Spring-Summer 20033Category
Early 2000s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianni Versace black striped jacquard wool tunic and pants set, fw 1999By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBGianni Versace black striped jacquard wool tunic and pants set. Mid length tunic with high slits on side seams and sleeves. High rise slim fit pants. Fall-Winter 1999Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Claude Montana navy knitted three piece pant suit, ss 1994By Claude MontanaLocated in London, GBClaude Montana navy fitted three piece pant suit comprising: long open cardigan with side slits, scoop neck bodysuit and flared pants with built-in shorts and side slits. Spring-Su...Category
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Too Soon for the Return of ’90s Fashion? As If
There's a renewed appreciation for the era's aesthetic, perhaps most notably among millennials seeking authentic, easy style.
14 Iconic Luxury Handbags and the Stories behind Them
When the name of a bag is as well-known as its brand, you know it's a classic.