Christian Dior presented his first collection on February 12, 1947. So impressed with the unique and charming fashions, the Editor-in-Chief for Harper's Bazaar exclaimed, "It's quite a revolution, dear Christian! Your dresses have such a new look!"
Did you notice how many of Dior's dresses were donated to The Costume Institute by Mrs. Byron C. Foy? Who was this Mrs. Foy? Apparently she was right up there on the social ladder with Gloria Vanderbilt.
Thelma Chrysler Foy was a renowned socialite, fashion devotee, and arts patroness who lived on Park Avenue in New York City. She was the daughter of the Chrysler Automobile Company founder Walter Chrysler and married to Byron C. Foy, a dashing Texan who was also a Chrysler executive.
The Foy's enjoyed entertaining New York's privileged set in their 18th century French furniture and Impressionist art filled mansion.
The large donations she made to the Costume Institute indicate why she was repeatedly voted one of society's ten best-dressed women.
Mrs. Byron C. Foy died of leukemia in 1957. For our younger readers, 1950's obituaries listed cause of death.
News of Christian Dior's "New Look" spread quickly and fashion magazines worldwide were soon filled with Dior's designs. Femininity was back in vogue as Christian Dior set a new standard for fashion innovation and excellence.
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| Christian Dior 1951 Ad featuring Jardin Des Modes An Example of Dior's Afternoon Dress |
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| Christian Dior Spring/Summer 1951 "Cecil Beaton" An homage to his friend Cecil Beaton and to his passion for flowers ©Metropolitan Museum Gift of Mrs. Byron C. Foy |
In the early 1950's Dior moved away from the nipped waistlines and generous skirts of The New Look to form collections based on geometric lines.
Christian Dior's Spring/Summer 1951 Ovale collection featured less volume and utilized pleats to create an oval shape.
Christian Dior's Spring/Summer 1951 Ovale collection featured less volume and utilized pleats to create an oval shape.
Dior's Fall/Winter 1951 Line Longue collection lengthened and narrowed the silhouette.
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| Christian Dior 1951 Ad Coudurier, Fructus, Descher Textiles |
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| Christian Dior Spring/Summer 1951 "Diorama" Evening Gown ©Metropolitan Museum Gift of Mrs. Byron C. Foy |
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| Christian Dior 1951 "Quiproquo" An Indication of Dior's Fascination with Asian Print
Gift of Mrs. Byron C. Foy
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| Christian Dior Spring/Summer 1951 "Grand Guigno" The waistline was moved upward and the skirt lengthened ©Metropolitan Museum Gift of Mrs. Henry Rogers Benjamin |
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| House of Dior Spring/Summer 1951 "Sylvie" Designer Elsa Schiaparelli Simple Strapless Dress Paired with Detailed Taffeta Coat
Gift of Mrs. Byron C. Foy
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| Christian Dior 1951 Spring/Summer Désirée Peplum Has Disappeared Offering a Slimmer Silhouette ©Metropolitan Museum Gift of Janet A. Sloane |
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| Christian Dior 1951 Spring/Summer "Partie Fine" Bodice and Skirt are Separate; Décolletage is Revealed with use of Small Wires
Gift of Mrs. Byron C. Foy
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| Christian Dior 1951 Ad for Julliard Woolens My Vintage Vogue |
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| Christian Dior Spring/Summer 1951 "Comedie Lègére" Dinner Dress of Grey Silk Organza with Lace, Silk, and Rhinestone Embroidery
Gift of Mrs. Byron C. Foy
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Thelma Chrysler Foy was a renowned socialite, fashion devotee, and arts patroness who lived on Park Avenue in New York City. She was the daughter of the Chrysler Automobile Company founder Walter Chrysler and married to Byron C. Foy, a dashing Texan who was also a Chrysler executive.
The Foy's enjoyed entertaining New York's privileged set in their 18th century French furniture and Impressionist art filled mansion.
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| House of Dior Fall/Winter 1949-1950 "Junon" Mrs. Foy actually owned, wore, and donated the "Junon"
Gift of Mrs. Byron C. Foy
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The large donations she made to the Costume Institute indicate why she was repeatedly voted one of society's ten best-dressed women.
Mrs. Byron C. Foy died of leukemia in 1957. For our younger readers, 1950's obituaries listed cause of death.
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