'Bar' Suit and Hat by Christian Dior

'Bar' is one of the most important designs from Christian Dior’s first collection. The tight-fitting jacket has padded hips which emphasise the tiny waist. The long pleated wool skirt, backed with cambric, is exceptionally heavy.

The suit if from 1947 spring/summer and was remade by Dior in about 1955.

The above photograph is from the mid-1950's by Willy Maywald.

Silk shabtung and wool crepe, Paris.

What an exquisite detail.

The notebook contains a sketch and specifications for the type and quantity of fabric for Dior’s 'Bar' suit. The jacket required 3.7 metres of silk shantung and fastened with five hand-stitched buttons. This information helped Dior to price the design. 'Bar' cost 59,000 francs.

This would be my shoe of choice to wear with the 'Bar' suit. Shoe by Roger Vivier for Christian Dior. Tulle over satin, Paris, 1954. (from the same exhibit at the V&A)

Text and photos from the Victoria and Albert Museum, "The Golden Age of Couture Paris and London 1947-1957.