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"Venus"

Couture Line House of Dior French
Designer Christian Dior French
fall/winter 1949–50 haute couture
Not on view
Amidst the silvery spumelike net resembling sea foam, pearlescent shell-shaped scallops pronounce Venus risen from the waters. But Dior has not only evoked the story of Venus; he has also created an ideal of beauty. The sparkling splendor of such a garment is the dream of a ball gown. For Dior, fantasy was both marvelous and ideal. He strove to make an archetypal evening gown, but he was also creating the confections for the great postwar theme balls.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Venus"
  • Couture Line: House of Dior (French, founded 1946)
  • Designer: Christian Dior (French, Granville 1905–1957 Montecatini)
  • Date: fall/winter 1949–50 haute couture
  • Culture: French
  • Medium: silk, sequins, rhinestones, simulated pearls
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Byron C. Foy, 1953
  • Object Number: C.I.53.40.7a–e
  • Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute

More Artwork

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Ball gown, House of Dior French, synthetic fiber, French
Ball gown
Multiple artists/makers
fall/winter 1961–62
Coat, House of Dior French, wool, French
Coat
House of Dior
Marc Bohan
1980s
Dinner dress, House of Dior French, silk, French
Dinner dress
House of Dior
Christian Dior
spring/summer 1955
Ensemble, House of Dior French, (a) silk, wool, synthetic; (b) wool, rayon; (c) cotton; (d, e, f, g, h) silk, French
Ensemble
House of Dior
Gianfranco Ferré
spring/summer 1993
Brassiere, House of Dior French, polyester, cotton, elastic, French
Brassiere
House of Dior
Gianfranco Ferré
1990–97

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