This is a superb and elaborate Christian Dior dress from the Marc Bohan years. It is a wonderful example of the work being done during this time period and shows the restraint that the label could have when it delved into a more minimal cut combined with that full out glamour. The dress has classic feel of the best of Old Hollywood. Don't let the simplicity of the cut fool you. The closer you get to it the more you see the incredible and elaborate amount of detail that has been put into this fabric. This is a dream to wear and no matter good you think it looks in these photos to see this one in person will make your jaw drop.

The dress is made from a black silk net that has an incredible lace floral pattern that is edged in black silk cording worked through the lace. It is made from three layers. The top beaded layer, a black silk chiffon layer under that and then a nude silk chiffon inner layer that is itself backed in a black silk. Adding that nude layer gives the dress a bit of an illusion of wearing next to nothing underneath. The dress is suspended from two beaded straps that curve over each shoulder. The front neckline dips into a slight V and the back is a simple scoop. It's cut to skim over the body from bust to hips with no seaming to break the eye or design of the bead work. The shape is created by vertical seaming on the inner layers and the top layer is shaped to follow those resulting curves. The skirt falls to the ground from there and widens out gradually as it nears the hem. The lace netting is covered with an elaborate design made of bead work and sequins. The design is done heavier around the top the bodice and down over the waist lightens as it goes over the hips and then becomes dense and heavy at the ham. Part of the work is done to follow the lace pattern on the netting. Glossy black sequins curve over the underlying pattern and where they are applied they are stacked and layered over each other to give a slight 3-D feel. Small faceted beads follow other parts of the pattern and these are the same beads that are used to highlight the straps. Tiny little seed beads are thrown into the mix and then there are square pailettes and oval faceted beads how much larger scale to really create impact. The beads are all applied by hand and catch the light from every angle. It's an incredible thing to see and even better once on the body. The label on the dress is numbered and when you see that in a Dior Boutique label it most often meant that the piece was a special order or was a custom made order for a client in the atelier but fitted at the boutique store rather then in Paris. This is a dress that you just slip on and it is perfection. Excellent condition.

Fully lined as per the description above. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. Numbered tag. The slight bias cut will allow for a bit of movement in the measurements. The comfortable range is listed below

Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4241

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.