"Arsène Lupin" theater dress, fall/winter 195455
Christian Dior (French, 19051957); Christian Dior Haute Couture (French, founded 1947)
Wool, silk
Gift of Christian Dior, 1955 (C.I.55.29.2a,b)
Christian Dior (French, 19051957); Christian Dior Haute Couture (French, founded 1947)
Wool, silk
Gift of Christian Dior, 1955 (C.I.55.29.2a,b)
For the theater, Dior took the opportunity to create a woman's alternative to a man's smoking jacket. Instead of satin lapels, he utilized a black satin ribbon. Dior's treatment is the most discreet possible, as were his earlier transformations of gray flannel suits to womenswear. This dress was originally worn with a long satin coat of seven-eighths length.

















