Christian Dior’s 2011 Fall-Winter Collection Offers a Touch of ’80s Deco

A gown from the Dior 2011 Fall-Winter Collection (left); A mask brooch from Etsy shop Penorus (right)

In our last post, we celebrated the Memphis-Milano influence on Christian Diors Fall-Winter Haute Couture Collection. From candy colors to edgy geometry, the ’80s motifs were abundant on the catwalk. But if you thought the ’80s fun ended there, think again!

Enter ’80s Deco, a revival of Art Deco glamour, curve, and form that put its stamp on our favorite decade. We’ve shown you examples of ’80s Deco vases that exemplify this style. And let’s not forget that black lacquered furniture we saw throughout the 1980s, sometimes with gold trim.

So is there evidence of sweeping curves, dramatic color, and bold glamour in Christian Dior’s Fall-Winter couture? Totally! The Dior dress at the top of the post (left) flows with its sweeping lines, and ribbons evoke the magic of ’80s porcelain masks, a once-popular collectible trend! The model’s dark eye make-up contributes to the costume-y aura. The mask (above, right) is actually a brooch, and it’s part of a set that can be found in Etsy shop Penorus, which offers a carefully-curated assortment of unique vintage treasures. A special thank you to Penorous for making this post possible!

Dior channels "'80s clown chic"

From dramatic masks to….clowns? Check out the fashion and make-up in the image to the right. Tearfully brilliant! I’m a big fan of the blog Retrophilia, which creatively spotlights vintage trends (with a generous portion of time spent on the ’80s). Retrophilia made the connection between Dior’s clown couture and the many “sad clown” collectibles of the 1980s. Click here for more pics and details (once there, scroll down for the clowns)!

We’ll leave you with the images below. On the left we have another glimpse at Dior couture. Now let’s get old-school… On the right we have a 1920s ad for Blue Moon Stockings. It perfectly conjures the playful elegance of Deco design. Note the resemblance between the background geometry, curly hair, crescent moon motif, and over-all ethereal look. Oh, to drift into evening with style!

Dream-like Dior couture (left); A vintage ad for Blue Moon Silk Stockings (right)

Sweet dreams…