A court shoe of printed fabric, graced by a flat bow, designed by Roger Vivier for Christian Dior c.1952, photo by Sacha Van Dorssen, 1987

"Vilmorin" is the name of this two-piece skirt and blouse (only the blouse is shown) in the most delicate embroidery of daisies on white organza by Christian Dior, 1952, photo by Sacha Van Dorssen, 1987

"May", Dior's armful of flowers shading from purple to pink, and green leaves, embroidered on white organza (the top shown here), 1953, photo by Sacha Van Dorrsen

"May" is what Dior called this lovely two-piece (skirt shown here) of intricate embroidery on white organza, 1953, photo by Sacha Van Dorssen, 1987

Rose Marie in Dior's calf-length evening dress in gold and pink brocade called "Istanbul" or "Sheherazade", photo by Willy Maywald, 1956

Simone is wearing Dior's showy cocktail dress in white taffeta printed with flowers, photo by Tom Kublin, 1956

Detail of exquisite mother-of-pearl embroidery on Dior's white satin evening dress from 1956, photo by Sacha Van Dorssen, 1987

Dior's 'New Look' dress is explained by the master with the help of his cane (worn here by house model Victoire), 1947

Marlene Dietrich wearing gown by Dior in Alfred Hitchcock's "Stage Fright", 1950

Dior's two-piece suit in Cordoba wool, worn with a silver fox muff, photo by Maywald, 1954

Renée Breton in Dior's H-Line of black wool crépe, an ensemble that broke with seven years of variations on the 'New Look', photo by Maywald, 1954

Bettina in Dior's simple but elegant dinner dress, photo by Frances McLaughlin, 1952

Wenda Parkinson is wearing the 'Zigzag Line' in grey flannel by Dior, photo by Clifford Coffin, 1948

Barbara Mullen posing in a suit by Dior with a battalion of sales assistants on the day of the opening of Dior's Grande Boutique, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Paris, 1955

Wenda Parkinson in Dior's knotted satin for evening, photo by Norman Parkinson, 1956

Dior's three-quarter length black wool jacket fastened by a black satin knot, photo by Irving Penn, 1950

A collar that holds its shape, dress by Dior, photo by Irving Penn, 1950

Dior's double-breasted two-piece suit in black wool crépe with an accentuated basque, photo by Irving Penn, 1950

Jean Patchett in Dior's generously cut natural mink coat with soft collar and three-quarter length sleeves, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, 1954