When Christian Dior launched his couture house, in 1946, he wanted nothing less than to make “an elegant woman more beautiful and a beautiful woman more elegant.” He succeeded, and in doing so the visionary designer altered the landscape of 20th century fashion. Vintage Dior bags, shoes, evening dresses, shirts and other garments and accessories are known today for their feminine and sophisticated sensibility.
Dior was born in Granville, on the Normandy coast, in 1905. His prosperous haute bourgeois parents wanted him to become a diplomat despite his interest in art and architecture. However, they agreed to bankroll an art gallery, which Dior opened in 1928 in Paris with a friend.
This was the start of Dior’s rise in the city’s creative milieu, where he befriended Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau. After seven years as an art dealer, Dior retrained as a fashion illustrator, eventually landing a job as a fashion designer for Robert Piguet, and in 1941, following a year of military service, he joined the house of Lucien Lelong. Just five years later, with the backing of industrialist Marcel Boussac, the ascendant Dior established his own fashion house, at 30 avenue Montaigne in Paris.
Just two years after the end of World War II, the fashion crowd and the moribund haute couture industry were yearning, comme tout Paris, for security and prosperity, desperate to discard the drab, sexless, utilitarian garb imposed by wartime deprivation. They needed to dream anew.
And Dior delivered: He designed a collection for a bright, optimistic future. “It’s quite a revolution, dear Christian!” exclaimed Carmel Snow, the prescient American editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar, famously proclaiming, “Your dresses have such a new look.” The press ran with the description, christening Dior’s debut Spring/Summer haute couture collection the New Look. “God help those who bought before they saw Dior,” said Snow. “This changes everything.”
Dior’s collection definitively declared that opulence, luxury and femininity were in. His skirts could have 40-meter-circumference hems, and outfits could weigh up to 60 pounds. They were cut and shaped like architecture, on strong foundations that molded women and “freed them from nature,” Dior said. Rather than rationing, his ladies wanted reams of fabric and 19-inch waists enforced by wire corsets, and the fashion world concurred. The debut got a standing ovation.
In the subsequent decade, Paris ruled as the undisputed fashion capital of the world, and Christian Dior reigned as its king. With the luxuriously full skirts of his New Look, suits and his drop-dead gorgeous couture dresses and ball gowns worthy of any princess, Dior gave women the gift of glamour they’d lost in the miserable years of war.
On 1stDibs, find an exquisite range of vintage Christian Dior clothing, jewelry, handbags and other items.
Dior Diorissimo pink monogram bikini
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in Bressanone, Trentino-Alto Adige
RARE Christian Dior by John Galliano two-piece swimsuit / bikini in the iconic Diorissimo oblique monogram color pink and white, crystal embellished Dior logo, from 2003/2004 spring/...
Christian Dior Flight Pink Bikini
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in Bressanone, Trentino-Alto Adige
Christian Dior by John Galliano bikini from 2000s Flight collection, color pink with Dior flight tag color orange, silver hardwa...
CHRISTIAN DIOR Monogram bikini swimwear logo oblique Dior
By Christian Dior
Located in CACHAN, FR
CHRISTIAN DIOR Monogram 2-piece swimsuit. Size 36 FR Size 8UK 6US. Very good condition. Sold in its Dior pouch. Rare and sought-after model.
New 1990s Jean Louis Scherrer Vintage Fuchsia Pink & Blue Cut Out String Bikini
By Jean-Louis Scherrer
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly sexy and rare vintage 90s JEAN LOUIS SCHERRER deadstock (NEW with original tags still attached) hot pink fuchsia and royal blue Avant Garde string bikini! Halter top ties ...
Chanel S/S 1995 Pink Quilted Bikini Set
By Chanel
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptionally rare archival swim set from Chanel’s Spring/Summer 1995 collection, embodying the playful yet sharply recognizable visual codes that defined Karl Lagerfeld’s mid-199...
Christian Dior Women's Embroidered Bee Bikini, Size L, Italy
By Christian Dior
Located in CACHAN, FR
CHRISTIAN DIOR 2-piece swimsuit. Bikini. Multicolored with the « Bee » emblem of the embroidered brand. In perfect condition. Size L.
UNWORN Missoni Crochet Knit Pink „Barbiecore Barbie“ Bikini with Pouch 44
By Missoni
Located in Switzerland, CH
Crafted using luxury knit elements, Missoni designs this stunning knit bikini in a classic triangle silhouette with a pink tone-in-tone contrast trim - the...
S/S 2000 Gianni Versace by Donatella Pink Medusa Orchid Bikini Swimsuit Set
By Gianni Versace, Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a pink orchid jungle print Gianni Versace bikini, designed by Donatella Versace. This bikini from the Spring/Summer 2000 collection bo...
Christian Dior by Galliano 2002 Stamp Bikini
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
Christian Dior spring-summer 2002 stamp print bikini. Braided straps. Comes with two different pairs of pants. Vintage, 2002. Composition: Polyamide/Elasthane/Cotton mix. Made in France. Authenticity guaranteed. Comes with original Dior dustbag...
$12,000
Size: FRENCH 40
Chanel 1995 Spring Summer Barbie Collection Hot Pink Rhinestone Bikini Size 40
By Chanel
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rare and collectible Hot Pink Barbie Collection 1995 Spring Summer Rhinestone Bikini. Worn on the runway by none other than Naomi Campbell. Size: 40 Color: Hot Pink with clear Rhines...
Chanel Pink Iconic Graphic Print Swim Crop Top circa 1993
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Chanel Pink Iconic Graphic Print Swim Crop Top from circa 1993 is a distinctive vintage piece that captures the bold and playful spirit of early '90s fashion. Crafted with high-q...
Chanel 2018 Gradient Blue Coco Mark Two-Piece Bikini Set
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Chanel 2018 Gradient Blue Coco Mark Two-Piece Bikini Set exudes luxury and sophistication, making it the perfect choice for those who want to stand out at the beach or poolside. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this bikini features a stunning gradient blue hue that transitions seamlessly from darker to lighter shades, embodying the essence of oceanic elegance. The set’s sleek design is complemented by subtle Chanel branding, offering a touch of high-end fashion to swimwear. For a complete, luxurious look, style this bikini with designer accessories such as a Hermès silk scarf tied around the waist, a Cartier bracelet, or a pair of Saint Laurent oversized sunglasses. Adding a Chanel straw tote...
1980s Escada Multicolor O-Ring Bikini
By Escada
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Get your hands on this retro treasure: the 1980s Escada Bikini. This bikini not only captures the vibrant spirit of the 80s but also combines classic style with modern comfort, making it a must-have addition to your swimwear collection. With its timeless high-waisted, semi-full coverage style, this bikini offers a flattering fit that's both comfortable and confidence-boosting. The padded top provides essential support while enhancing your natural curves. Crafted with care, the hook closure at the back ensures a secure fit for worry-free wear. The gold-tone O-ring details at the sides, adorned with Escada logo engravings, add a touch of elegance and sophistication. Adorned with a dynamic multicolor 80s print featuring classic lines and sunflowers, this bikini becomes a statement piece that's as bold as it is stylish. Embrace the spirit of the 1980s while showcasing your individuality and flair and pair with an Hermes floppy hat, a Pucci cover up...
Emilio Pucci for Formfit 1960s Retro Floral Swim Bottoms
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Emilio Pucci's Formfit 1960s Retro Floral Swim Bottoms epitomize the essence of vintage chic with their enchanting classic Pucci print, featuring a delightful retro pink floral desig...
1980s Escada Bikini
By Escada
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Do not miss out on this stunning piece of swimwear that captures the essence of the 1980s fashion era - the Escada bikini. With its semi full coverage high waisted style, this bikini offers a touch of vintage charm combined with a modern twist. The hook closure at the back ensures a secure fit, while the padded top provides both comfort and a flattering silhouette. The adjustable straps allow for a personalized fit, and the gold tone Escada logos at the straps add a touch of luxury. Adorned with a warm brown geometric print, this bikini exudes timeless elegance and versatility, making it a must-have addition to any swimwear collection. Get ready to make a statement by embracing the allure of the past while enjoying the comfort of contemporary design. Style with a Chanel head scarf, a Pucci cover up and your favorite Louis Vuitton beach bag...
Chanel 2020 Light Purple & Pink Tweed & Mesh Thong Sandals
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Chanel 2020 Light Purple & Pink Tweed & Mesh Thong Sandals are a stunning fusion of modern elegance and casual comfort. Crafted with a playful light purple and pink tweed, these ...
Andy Warhol and the fashion house’s first collections were among the creative director’s inspirations.
There's a renewed appreciation for the era's aesthetic, perhaps most notably among millennials seeking authentic, easy style.
