Evening dress
Christian Dior's final collections in 1957 showed glimpses of a new direction, an abandonment of the "New Look" silhouette in favor of a softer, less defined waist. The title of his spring-summer line in 1957, "Libre" or "Free," provided some indication of the designer's intent and pieces like this one show how he represented the idea. The pink color, the use of organza, the wrapped neckline and princess seams uniting the bodice, waist and hip all convey a feeling of softness. The bodice, however, is still completely boned, showing that Dior's notion of freedom had limitations.
Artwork Details
- Title: Evening dress
- Design House: House of Dior (French, founded 1946)
- Designer: Christian Dior (French, Granville 1905–1957 Montecatini)
- Date: spring/summer 1957
- Culture: French
- Medium: silk
- Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. William Randolph Hearst, Jr., 1975
- Object Number: 2009.300.515
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
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fall/winter 1961–62
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1980s
House of Dior
Christian Dior
spring/summer 1955
House of Dior
Gianfranco Ferré
spring/summer 1993
House of Dior
Gianfranco Ferré
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