John Galliano for Christian Dior Dress 1990s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6 (US)Hip: 39 in (99.06 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Water Mill, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU511223014
John Galliano
Known for introducing rich theatricality and memorable fashion spectacles to the runway, John Galliano has enjoyed a singular career. The audacious British designer has garnered universal acclaim for genre-breaking collections not only at his eponymous label but also for Givenchy and Christian Dior.
From his embroidered absinthe-green Oscars gown for actress Nicole Kidman to the iconic sleeveless newspaper-print dress that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made famous, Galliano’s intricate and multifaceted work is reliably newsworthy, drawing on history as often as it embodies a fresh and forward-looking sensibility, and over the years the designer has helped shape an ever-broadening new legion of enthusiasts for Parisian couture.
Born in Gibraltar but raised in South London by strict Roman Catholic working-class parents, Galliano attended the all-boys Church of England grammar school, where his flamboyance and interest in art attracted the attention of bullies. Eventually, Galliano ended up at the prestigious design and art school Central Saint Martins College (then called Saint Martin’s School of Art), where fellow British designers Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen also trained.
Galliano flourished at Central Saint Martins. While a student, he worked in the costume department at the National Theatre in London. His graduate collection in 1984, dubbed “Les Incroyables” and named for post–French Revolution fashion lovers, was modeled by close friends of his and earned a standing ovation. The line ended up in the storefront windows of London luxury boutique Brown’s on South Molton Street, and Galliano’s first official collection — after he graduated — debuted at Paris Fashion Week in 1989.
In the early 1990s, Galliano’s relationship with his financial backer, Plein Sud’s Faycal Amor, ended, and by 1994, he was broke and sleeping on the floor of a friend’s apartment. Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour and then-Vanity Fair editor André Leon Talley stepped in and introduced the budding designer to Portuguese socialite and fashion patron São Schlumberger and others. At Schlumberger’s Hôtel Particulier, Galliano’s shows became the stuff of fashion legend. His collection, a blend of Japanese modernist style as well as nostalgia for Art Deco and 1940s’ tailoring, earned raves in glossy magazines and garnered the attention of Princess Diana, Madonna and other fashion luminaries.
Once the Galliano name was well known among the world’s most stylish set, the chairperson of LVMH, Bernard Arnault, appointed Galliano head designer of French fashion house Givenchy. One year later, in 1996, LVMH moved him to the design team at Dior, where he produced scores of celebrated looks for Dior Haute Couture. Today, Galliano is the creative director of Maison Margiela.
Shop vintage John Galliano evening dresses and gowns, handbags, jackets and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Christian Dior
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Water Mill, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Emanuel Ungaro New Leather Color Block Dress 1980sBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous soft, supple leather dress by Emanuel Ungaro in black and grey. It has a crew neckline, long sleeves with zipper cuffs and shoulder pads. The dress is black with an angul...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- Emanuel Ungaro Check Draped DressBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Water Mill, NYA great fine black and white small check light weight wool dress by Emanuel Ungaro. It has a crew neckline, fabulous leg o mutton sleeves with zipper and ...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- Pierre Cardin 1960s Space Age DressBy Pierre CardinLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous off white wool dress by Pierre Cardin. It is an A line sleeveless dress with a stand up collar and hem highlighted with rows of top stitchi...Category
1960s French Day Dresses
- Vicky Tiel Silk Damask Dress 1980sBy Vicky TielLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful off white silk damask dress with a red flower print from Vicky Tiel. It has front pockets and closes with self covered buttons. The cap sleev...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Pierre Cardin Silk Cape Back Dress 1960sBy Pierre CardinLocated in Water Mill, NYAn incredible dress from Pierre Cardin in off white silk with abstract navy shapes. The neckline, wrists and hem are highlighted with rows of top stitching on solid off white. An amazing cape panel drapes from the shoulders at the back of the dress. The dress and cape are fully silk lined and has a fine back hand stitched painted metal zipper. A rare couture...Category
1960s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Tom Ford New Plunge Dress with Cut outsBy Tom FordLocated in Water Mill, NYAn incredible dress from Tom Ford in off white silk. It has a plunging neckline, long sleeves with zippers at the wrists and black mesh covered oval cut outs at the side hips, side ...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere Heather Grey Size 40 / 10 Sweatshirt Mini DressBy Nicolas Ghesquière, BalenciagaLocated in San Diego, CAAvant Garde BALENCIAGA by NICOLAS GHESQUIERE mid 2000s heather gray slouchy sweatshirt mini dress ! Simply slips over the head, and stretches to fit. V-neck bodice. Soft cotton blend...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Marc Jacobs for Bergdorf Goodman 1920s Flapper Style Gray 20s Rayon Shirt DressBy Marc JacobsLocated in San Diego, CAMARC JACOBS for BERGDORF GOODMAN early 2000s 1920s flapper style grey shirt dress ! Features a pleated bodice with a drop waist. Butto...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1970s Boho Chic Paisley Print Long Sleeve Mock Neck Vintage 70s Knit DressLocated in San Diego, CABoho chic 1970s paisley print long sleeve mock neck knit dress ! Tailored bodice with a flirty skirt. Original matching detachable cord belt ties ...Category
1970s American Cocktail Dresses
- Moroccan Caftan White Ivory and Gold Brocade KaftanLocated in North Hollywood, CAElegant Moroccan white ivory and old brocade kaftan embroidered with gold trim threads. Size L to XL circa 1980s. This long maxi dress kaftan is embroid...Category
20th Century Moroccan Caftans
- Vintage 2006 Alexander McQueen Documented White Silk Chain Plunge High-Slit GownBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Beverly Hills, CAEthereal, highly coveted 2006 white documented runway show-stopper from the late and great Alexander Mcqueen. He was known for combining superb tailoring with a dramatic aesthetic inspired by...Category
Early 2000s European Wedding Dresses
- 1970s Silk Jersey Multi Color Abstract Print Maxi dressLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1970s Multi Color ( purple, pink, blue , and yellow ) abstract print silk jersey dress with long sash. Dress can be worn 2 way see pictures attached. You can style it as Halter dres...Category
1970s Unknown Cocktail Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How John Galliano Caused Fashion Chaos around the Globe
The visionary designer epitomizes the pleasures and perils of irrepressible creative genius.
The Best Ways to Dress for Your Astrological Sign
Makeup and astrology expert Linda Mason dispenses fashion advice for every zodiac sign. Does your wardrobe match your horoscope?