Evening dress
1959
spring-summer 1959
Medium
nylon (lace, tulle, fur), silk, polyester (satin), buckram (boning), metal (fastening)
Measurements
118.0 (centre back) 31.0 cm (waist, flat)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM and Family through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gift Program, 2025
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
When Christian Dior died unexpectedly in 1957, a twenty-one-year-old Yves Saint Laurent was appointed chief designer of the house. Interested in fashion from an early age, Saint Laurent moved to Paris in 1954 to study at L’École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture, and in 1955 was introduced to Dior by Michel de Brunhoff, editor of French Vogue. Recognising his talent, Dior hired Saint Laurent soon after and he quickly rose to the position of assistant designer. In this evening dress, Saint Laurent honours one of Dior's defining house codes: the flower. Dior’s debut collection in 1947 was a global sensation, launching a new postwar style dubbed the ‘New Look’. Here, the floral lace recalls the flowers that inspired Dior's approach to structure, cut and embellishments.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
France
Inscription
label, left back neckline, woven in white on black synthetic fabric: Christian Dior / PARIS
Accession Number
2025.751
Department
International Fashion and Textiles