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"Lys Noir" evening dress, fall/winter 1957–58
Christian Dior (French, 1905–1957); Christian Dior Haute Couture (French, founded 1947)
Silk
Gift of Mme Walther Moreira Salles, 1969 (C.I.69.39)

Conceived as a sarong, this is a more formal version of a dress style that had been offered in earlier collections. The fabric is wrapped from a back seam with an asymmetrical hem. Dior resolved the asymmetry of the hem but, in doing so, lost the width of fabric required to continue the side drape. As a result, an extra is gathered into the side seam to form a free-flowing train. The appearance is of continuous fabric but, in fact, Dior had to concoct the process.


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  • "Lys Noir" evening dress, fall/winter 1957–58
    Christian Dior (French, 1905–1957); Christian Dior Haute Couture (French, founded 1947)
    Silk
    Gift of Mme Walther Moreira Salles, 1969 (C.I.69.39)