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.
Christian Dior Fuchsia Pink Lambskin Cannage Lady D Handbag, 9.5" L
By Christian Dior
Located in Salt Lake Cty, UT
Authentic Christian Dior Lambskin Cannage Lady D Handbag in Fuchsia Pink. Features Christian Dior leather shoulder strap, leather exterior with gold hardware, zipper top closure, can...
Louis Vuitton Pink Monogram Patent Leather Belt Bag Crossbody Bag
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Salt Lake Cty, UT
Authentic Louis Vuitton Belt bag and Cross-body bag in Pink. Features Louis Vuitton monogram embossed patent leather in pink, comes with two straps to use as a belt bag or crossbody ...
Chanel 2019 Pink Chevron Quilted Lambskin Le Boy Crossbody Bag
By Chanel
Located in Salt Lake Cty, UT
Authentic Chanel Chevron Quilted Lambskin North South Le Boy Bag in Pink. Features pink chevron lambskin leather, large interlocking CC logo push lock closure, long gold link chain ...
Louis Vuitton Epi Twist Shoulder Bag MM Pink Leather Women's Handbag
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Salt Lake Cty, UT
Authentic Louis Vuitton Epi Twist Shoulder Bag MM in pink. Timeless and elegant, the Louis Vuitton Epi Twist Shoulder Bag MM is the perfect luxury accessory for effortless day-to-evening wear. Features the iconic textured epi leather in a beautiful pink shade, this designer handbag exudes sophistication with a sleek silhouette and polished gold LV twist-lock closure on the front flap. Designed for versatility, it features a leather and gold chain shoulder strap for a modern crossbody or shoulder wear. The spacious interior offers practicality with a slip pocket and an additional pocket that includes a built-in mirror, making it ideal for on-the-go touch-ups, zipper pocket. Strap Drop: 22" can be doubled Classic pink epi leather with signature LV detailing Perfect for both everyday luxury and evening elegance A true investment piece, this Louis Vuitton Twist MM...
Christian Dior Yellow Lime Lambskin Cannage Lady D Handbag with Strap
By Christian Dior
Located in Salt Lake Cty, UT
Authentic Christian Dior Lambskin Cannage Lady D Handbag. Features Christian Dior leather shoulder strap, leather exterior with silver hardware, zipper top closure, canvas lining, on...
Chanel 2009-2010 Red Quilted Caviar XL Classic Flap Messenger Bag
By Chanel
Located in Salt Lake Cty, UT
Authentic Chanel red quilted caviar XL classic flap messenger bag with silver hardware. A timeless designer handbag featuring the iconic CC front snap closure with dual straps. A timeless icon of luxury, this Chanel Red Classic Flap...
Christian Dior Lady Dior Large Lambskin Hot Pink / Fuschia Handbag, Excellent
By Christian Dior
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. The Lady Dior handbag epitomizes the House's vision of elegance and beauty. Sleek and refined, the timeless yet relevant style is crafted in cherry red lambskin with Canna...
Lady Dior 2012 Large Bag Pink Lambskin Cannage Leather
By Christian Dior
Located in AUBERVILLIERS, FR
Lady Dior 2012 Large Bag Pink Lambskin Cannage Leather These are professional photos of the actual bag offered by Luxbags. This large Lady Dior is crafted in a rare stunning teal blue lambskin leather. This classic bag features a cannage stitch, creating a beautiful silhouette and an instantly recognizable quilted design. It is paired with silver hardware and D.I.O.R charms. Featuring a removable strap shoulder strap, the Lady Dior bag can be carried by hand or on the shoulder as an ideal everyday wear accessory. CONDITION: VERY GOOD CONDITION Very good condition with medium signs of use throughout. Medium scuffs around the corners, edges near the top, handles, strap. Light stains on the inside. Restoration services can be provided free of charge after payment upon request for all purchases on our site Luxbags. DETAILS Lambskin leather Color: Pink Hardware: Silver Black textile lining Size: Large Width: 32cmHeight: 26cmDepth: 11cmStrap length: 89cm Weight: 1050g Date code: 08-MA-0192 Year of manufacture: 2012 Made in Italy ACCESSORY: Removable leather strap, dust bag CARE FOR YOUR LADY DIOR Leather handbag...
Lady Dior Medium Handbag Pearlescent Pink Cannage Leather Gold Hardware
By Christian Dior
Located in AUBERVILLIERS, FR
Lady Dior Medium Handbag Pearlescent Pink Cannage Leather Gold Hardware These are professional photos of the actual bag . The Lady Dior bag is an epitome of elegance and beauty. Ac...
Christian Dior Light Pink Patent Cannage Large Lady Dior Handbag
By Christian Dior
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Indulge in timeless elegance with the exquisite Christian Dior Light Pink Patent Cannage Large Lady Dior Handbag. Crafted from luxurious patent leather in a delicate light pink hue, ...
Christian Dior Lady Dior Bag Pink Cannage Lambskin Gold Hardwear
By Christian Dior
Located in Guangzhou, CN
These are professional pictures of the actual item offered by Eluse. Condition: Normal signs of use, wear on the four corners, minor stains and scratches on the leather surface, ...
Christian Dior Lady Dior Mini Bag Pink Leather Chain Crossbody Tote
By Christian Dior
Located in Guangzhou, CN
Condition: Christian Dior mini Lady Dior Tote bag blue chai bag shoulderbag Italy，There is wear on the corners, please see the detailed picture.Purchased in 2021 Accessories: ID car...
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