Kirsten Dunst’s Dior Oscars Dress Looked Vintage Because It Was Actually a Design from 1952
When Kirsten Dunst appeared on the 2017 Oscars red carpet, she looked like she was still in character, playing the role of NASA supervisor Vivian Mitchell in Hidden Figures. As it turns out, that wasn’t entirely coincidental because Dunst picked a dress that had roots not too far from the time of the story, 1961. Dunst opted for a sleeveless black gown that was originally designed in 1952 by Christian Dior for the autumn-winter Haute Couture collection.
Looking at the Dior gown, it’s not hard to place the design, as the cinched waist, elevated bust, and flared hips are evocative of the late designer’s iconic bar jacket, which made its first appearance in 1947. While vintage Christian Dior is hard to come by, Dunst had the luxury of receiving a custom re-creation courtesy of the fashion house. “Dior re-imagined Christian’s dress at our request for Ms. Dunst,” her co-stylist Clare Hallworth told People. “We were attracted to the fact that it had such a sense of romance and nostalgia, but because of its exacting construction, it felt incredibly modern.”
Kirsten Dunst attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
One thing about the gown that wasn’t typical of modern designs, however, was the quality that went into the original, as well as Dunst’s custom re-creation. “It’s a Christian Dior Haute Couture original created by a master who understood fit and construction,” the actress’s other stylist, Nina Hallworth, told People. “Everything is special, from the weight of the fabric to the asymmetry of the hemline, the scalloped back and pockets that make you stand with perfect posture.” If only that perfect-posture solution was available to the rest of us.
Dunst seems to have a flair recently to look into the past when it comes to red carpet appearance. She was spotted at an event in Paris earlier this year in a Christian Lacroix dress that may have looked familiar. It was the exact same dress she had worn to the Vanity Fair Oscars Party all the way back in 2004.
Exclusive: The Making of Kirsten Dunst’s Oscars 2017 Gown
While vintage Christian Dior is hard to come by, Kirsten Dunst had the luxury of receiving a custom re-creation courtesy of the fashion house.
“It’s a Christian Dior Haute Couture original created by a master who understood fit and construction,” the actress’s other stylist, Nina Hallworth, told People.
The sleeveless gown was originally designed in 1952 by Christian Dior for the autumn-winter Haute Couture collection.
An exclusive look at Kirsten Dunst’s custom Dior dress for the 2017 Oscars.
An exclusive look at Kirsten Dunst’s custom Dior dress for the 2017 Oscars.
An exclusive look at Kirsten Dunst’s custom Dior dress for the 2017 Oscars.
Why Kirsten Dunst Is the Queen of the Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet
Kirsten Dunst in Rochas at the premiere of Marie Antoinette at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in Chanel at the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS charity gala during the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in Chanel at the Palme d’Or ceremony at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in Chloé at the photocall for Melancholia during the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in Chanel Couture at the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS charity gala during the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte at the premiere of Melancholia during the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in Chanel at the premiere of Les Bien-Aimés and closing ceremony of the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in Dolce and Gabbana at the photocall for On the Road during the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in Dior at the premiere of On the Road during the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in Louis Vuitton at the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS charity gala at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in Michael Van Der Ham at the premiere of Inside Llewyn Davis at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in Dior at the jury photocall during the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in Gucci at the premiere of Café Society at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in Schiaparelli Couture at the Chopard Trophy Ceremony at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in Dior Couture at the premiere of Loving at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in Chanel at the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS charity gala at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst in custom Maison Margiela at the premiere of The Neon Demon at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.
Kirsten Dunst wears Loewe to the “The Beguiled” Photocall during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2017 in Cannes, France.
Kirsten Dunst wears Schiaparelli at a screening of “The Beguiled” during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2017 in Cannes, France.
Watch Kirsten Dunst take W’s Screen Test:
