bodice & top

Christian Dior, Paris 1947 - 1957

Summary

Bodice from the ensemble entitled 'Cabaret' from Dior's Corolle collection (the 'New Look') spring/summer 1947. Black silk crepe with pleated v-neck, trimmed with narrow lace; five self fabric covered dome buttons to the centre front opening; short cap sleeves with pleated and draped construction; silk peplum with zip to below waist. Labelled, 'Christian Dior, Paris' with couture linen tag numbered 5029. This bodice was bought at auction with a 50% grant from the V&A purchase fund. There are numerous representations - sketches and model photos - of the Cabaret ensemble in fashion magazines and the low decolletage led to it being called 'the lowest neckline in Paris'. Life magazine (27 Oct 1947) featured the bodice worn by Ruth Conklin with the titile 'THE DRESS - when men first see it, they can't believe it'. From the estate of Mrs Orator Frank Woodward lll. Mrs Nadya Woodward bought a number of outfits from Dior, including a mustard wool day dress with the number 4782. She was Bulgarian and firstly married a Cuban diplomat in Paris, Dr Norberto Angones. After being widowed in 1962, she eventually remarried Orator Frank Woodward, an American, and an heir to the Jello fortune.