“Artemise” Dress for a Short Evening Ensemble

In a 1959 issue of the New York Herald Tribune American fashion journalist Eugenia Sheppard simply summed up the 1960 fall/winter line by Dior thus: “Hobble skirts are revived by Dior”. To do so Saint Laurent combined a simple corsage bodice with a sculptural, tulip-shaped skirt, as seen in this model. Three rounded downward tapering semi-circles were arranged one upon the other on the skirt front to form a gently rounded calyx over a rigid multi-tiered petticoat. This solid form is softened by the delicate lace edge that flashes from beneath the hemline. A decorative bow adorns the front centre at the waist. The dress closes in the back with a hook and eye closure at the corsage and waist and a long zipper. This short evening gown was worn with a cape and presented by the model known as Victoire.