Roger Vivier, who was known as the couturier of shoes, became independent in 1937 and started making shoes for Dior in 1953. His unique designs fit perfectly with elegant Dior dresses, and Queen Elizabeth II wore shoes made by him during her Coronation. Many famous people, including Elizabeth II, the Duchess of Windsor, and Elizabeth Taylor were captivated by Vivier shoes.  

Dior died suddenly in 1957, and Yves Saint Laurent took over the maison at the young age of 21. This was the time of transition from the recovery period after the war to the era of mass-production. 

Below is the first piece Saint Laurent designed after taking over the maison. The “trapeze” silhouette had great success. It used the traditional techniques of haute couture, but also introduced the new concept of abstract form for the body. This structure looked forward to the coming era of ready-made clothes, which would become the standard after the 1960s. 

Cristobal Balenciaga, the master of haute couture, was at the pinnacle of fashion in the 1950s. He moved to France in 1937, and Paris soon became his center of activity. However, elements of the traditional clothing of his homeland are often visible in his work (e.g. three-dimensional appliques with pom-poms or ruffles made in a style similar to flamenco dresses).

These pieces capture the main feature of Balenciaga dresses, the abstract body. The short length, loose waist and trapezoidal form that widens from the shoulder to the hem became popularly known as the “baby doll” dress.

Before World War II, American fashion relied on Parisian haute couture, but when the war came, America had to find its own original style. Using simple fabrics like denim and gingham that had been used for laborer’s uniforms, Claire McCardell created simple clothing for women, and established an original American fashion. The clean-structured clothes that she created were exactly what America, with its well-organized mass-production system, had been waiting for, and ready-to-wear clothes were soon available right across the country. McCardell created and popularized simple and fresh American sportswear. In 1942 the diaper-shaped bathing suit appeared as a new style.  

The Alla mini dress is the essence of effortless style and everyday elegance! The elegant fabric is ideal for when you want to look at your most stately and polished. The cut of the dress will work for virtually any occasion, be it casual or formal.