Christian Dior's New Look, 1947
Catherine Heigl, Harper's Bazaar, June 2010
Carmen Dell'Orefice in Paris, 1950s, Photographed by Richard Avedon
Renée, The New Look of Dior, Place de la Concorde, Paris, August 1947 | Photograph: Richard Avedon © The Richard Avedon Foundation
Perhaps my second greatest source of inspiration (behind movies) would be Dior's New Look. I continually look to it for inspiration and it was, in fact, the inspiration behind this week's look which was the very first coat I ever made. Too soon for vintage Madalyn Joy!? Five years is definitely a long time! ;)
For those of you who are not familiar with Dior's New Look, it was a very controversial look for 1947. World War II had just ended two years earlier and everyone was still in the mindset of uniforms (military and civilian) and fabric restrictions and shortages. Dior's New Look was controversial in the way that it had a completely feminine look with a very full skirt, a cinched waist, and rounded shoulders. The skirt alone used 25 yards of fabric which was something completely unheard of at this time!
Dior wanted to move on from the war times and look to bigger and brighter things in the future. Dior's New Look has been the source of inspiration for many designers and continues to be influential even decades later.
Can't wait to share my Dior's New Look inspired dress coat on Friday!
xoxo
Madalyn Joy