Poshbot

Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2009

The haute couture creations that John Galliano has done for Christian Dior have been over the top in the most fabulous way, but this season, he pulled the reigns back a bit to create one of his most covet-worthy collections yet.

The 1920’s-era cloche hats? Divine.

Transparent gowns with peek-a-boo panties? More please.

Hair and makeup? Ah-mazing.

Galliano drew influences from Christian Dior’s 1947 New Look, taking structured cuts and remixing them with leather and studs and washes of color. He gave us exaggerated corsets and peplums on everything — coats, day and evening dresses, and even over a sherbet colored gown that teased with a hint of leg under the transparent skirt.

Kudos to makeup maven Pat McGrath for the tranny-fierce over-arched brows that models rocked with their faces pulled tight to make a cat-like eye enhanched by winged eyeliner. Heavy brows and blood red lips next season? Love it!

I love shopping vintage because it practically guarantees that you won’t show up at a party in that same Milly dress three other girls are wearing. But when you have one-of-a-kind pieces, plus rare vintage, plus legendary designer — sweetie, you have the freaking fashion trifecta.

The vintage Dior collection at Yoox includes pieces from as far back as the 1940’s culled from auction houses and private collectors.

The selections from 1960-70 represent an especially delicious chance to nab a piece of fashion history from the short period of time that recently deceased Yves Saint Laurent spent as the creative force behind Dior. Trust me, those pieces are going fast.

But even if you can’t afford a $10,000 vintage evening gown (and who can these days?), fret not because there are still some small pieces that you can scoop up.

Vintage scarves from the 1940’s-1950’s run about $115 to $125 and some small bijoux and brooches are under $200.

All so that you can have the pleasure of saying: “Oh this old thing? It’s vintage Dior, dahling”.

View the entire Christian Dior vintage collection at Yoox

Do you adore Dior? If you do, Spring 2008 will see you in ‘30’s mobster suits, barely there lingerie, and…shoulder pads? Yes, several of Galliano’s feminine suits featured shoulder pads that sloped off at an almost ninety degree angle.

Some of the looks were a bit mature for my tastes, which may be Galliano playing to Dior’s grande dame base. The pink shell paired with an ankle-length silk skirt is a perfectly sophisticated evening look, but certainly not meant for the Galliano Girls in the audience. Even some of the lingerie seemed as if it came out of the closet of a cougar. I loved the leopard tap pants, who’s styling with bowler hats tipped over khol rimmed eyes gave it a Moulin Rouge feel, but I can pass on a black floor-skimming nightie that left too little to the imagination. There’s also a red Dior gown that I’m sure will show up on a red carpet somewhere. Most of all, I’m a fan of tailored looks and Galliano’s pinstripe suiting was spot-on.