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1949 Commissioned Ballgown of 1949 Dior Venus Ballgown

Description: In 1949, Yves St. Laurent had just been with the House of Dior for two years. In 1949 the "New Look" was still "new."

This gown was commissioned by the wearer's parents for her in Paris, and brought back. It is based on Dior's 1949 "Venus" model ballgown (an original, in gray, is in the collection of the costume Institute at the Metropolitain Museum of Art in New York).

Now, I've seen a lot of copies of couture, even the rare licensed copies of original couture (some designers, like Patou, used to do this). But I have never seen a copy that was so exquisite, so meticulously worked down to the details of the sequins.

The sequins on this gown are singularly breathtaking. They are the same unique, feather-shaped sequins that Dior used on the Venus original, and it's one of the reasons that this copy is far and above what we usually think of as copies.

Well, we've gone over the gown's pedigree, now lets appreciate her for what she is -- a stunning, breathtaking ballgown. Whomever wore this would absolutely be the center of attention, making an impact without even trying. Its gentle, yet regal sculpted form is somewhere between fairytale princess and uncontested empress. The perfect balance between grace and strength, beauty and classicism.

This is the note of provenance from the original owner:

"The Dior formal gown was purchased for me by my parents in 1949 from a lovely store named [?]evys. My parents surprised me with this gown for my debut -- which was an afternoon tea. It was the only time the gown has ever been worn, just once!

The gown is from Christian Dior's mid-century collection and the name of the collection at that time (1949) was Venus.

I hope that you will find as much pleasure and happiness in owning this beautiful gown as I have had from owning it over the years. The store orwner at that time called it 'a work of art.'"

Condition: Excellent