Christian Dior 1950s New Look Dress

This dress was worn by Francesca Cumani, lead presenter for ITV Racing, on the final day of Ascot 2024. You can see Francesca Cumani wearing this dress in the Evening Standard magazine 'All the best dressed guests from King Charles and Prince William to Elizabeth Hurley'.

Measurements:

Shoulder to shoulder: 40cm
Bust: 34inches
Waist: 27inches, approximately 69cm
Length: 120cm

This history of this dress:

Christian Dior's reputation as one of the most important couturiers of the twentieth century was launched in 1947 with his very first collection, in which he introduced the "New Look". Featuring rounded shoulders, a cinched waist and a very full skirt; the New Look celebrated ultra femininity and opulence in women's fashion. After years of military and civilian uniforms, sartorial restrictions and shortages, Dior offered not merely a new look but a new outlook.

This particular model dates to the 1950s. The bodice has a boned corselet over which the lace fabric has been anchored in a stiffened armature with the asymmetric base, which is split in the centre, looking as though it is barely affixed to the skirt panels. The high neckline is adorned with a black velvet collar with a delicate little bow at its centre.
The capped shoulders, when seen in detail, suggest the way Dior has draped rather than
tailored his forms, wrapping and tacking instead of cutting and piecing. The bodice is lined from the breast line down. 
The skirt is huge. A mass of black silk gathered to a tiny waist invisible under the overlay of the bodice, but held in place by an internal band. The skirt takes on a life of its own when worn and swings in the most lovely way.

Condition of the dress:

Sold in excellent condition with no stains or rips and only the odd pull to note.