This spectacular piece is from the Spring 2015 Christian Dior runway presentation by during the Raf Simons era. It was shown on the runway layered as a long vest but you can fully button it and wear it as a dress, or even as a sleeveless evening coat. I love the versatility of that. This was the second of the closing group of these pieces. Vogue's Tim Blanks said of the show; 'In the venue for the Dior show today, one of the most extraordinary feats in recent fashion history took place. In the Louvre's Cour Carrée, the ancient heart of an ancient palace, a mirrored tent was erected, perfectly rendering its environment in such a way that the tent was invisible. It was like the present had ceased to exist. An appropriate cue for the collection that Raf Simons showed, in which the 18th century and the 22nd century knocked boots, bypassing everything in between... Simons liked what he did in July's Couture so much that he wanted to extend the experiment into ready-to-wear. Finding the future in the far past—it's a challenge that would engage an artist in any arena. But addressing that challenge in everyday clothes produced a new poetry.' Blanks went on to talk about these last look specifically saying; '(they) referenced an 18th-century court coat, which evoked the historicism of Christian Dior's original Bar silhouette. Fashion present floats on an ocean of fashion past; Simons simply chose to ride the time machine a little further back. But he paired his gilet with Bermuda shorts. It was a look you could imagine piquing the interest of the women he's drawn to Dior. A judicious blend of fantasy and reality.' The piece is spectacular in person.  It is a fabulous piece of fashion history and of Raf's time at the label.

The gillet is made from a metallic finished pink silk mixed fabric that allows the dress to keep it shape. It's light in weight but the fabric still has enough structure to hold the shape and volume that you see. It has this incredible metallic finish to it that's quite beautiful. It is almost like a muted foil in person. This is when you see the magic that the larger labels have in being able to create these fabrics that are so unusual. It is sleeveless and the top is cut to skim over you and then comes in at the waist. The skirt flares dramatically outwards under that and it has the feel of a great coat in the way that it is set. There is a lot of volume in skirt and it is cut so that it hangs in that gorgeous expanding line that you see. The seaming through the bodice and waist to create shape is minimal and it buttons down the front with a row of tightly spaced silk covered buttons. Fabric loops sit on the other side that the buttons slip through to give it that feel of the past that Tim mentions in his review above. There are pockets on each hip which allows you to wear it with that fantastic ease that you see in the runway photos. I love that the runway video shows you how fantastically it moves and how gorgeous it is on. It is open under the buttons so if you did want to wear this as a dress you would have to wear something underneath and that could be anything from a sweeping skirt yo pants or even boy shorts if you dare. Inside it is lined in a black silk chiffon and that shock of the black contrast when it moves around you adds to its fabulousness. Excellent condition with a note below

Fully lined in a black silk and closes at the front with the button as seen. I see some light marks on one side around the pocket on each side of the seam. please see the photos after the label shot. There's slight grubbiness under each arm that is minor.

Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 53.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4150

Reference Photos/Videos: Spring 2015 Dior Runway, Look 49. Model: Hanne Gaby Odiele.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.