Gown by John Galliano for Dior

"Maria-Luisa (dite Coré)" spring/summer 1998, by John Galliano (born Juan Carlos Antonio Galliano-Guillén, 1960, Gibralter) for the House of Dior.  The shape and detail of this gown show the clear influence of late Ancien Régime elements - stomacher bows, swirling ruffles - blended with the dramatic expanse of the Second Empire crinoline, all coming together in a gorgeous excess that epitomized French haute couture at the turn of the 21st century.

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I was very happy to be able to see this gown in 2006, at the Costume Institute of  the
Metropolitan Museum of Art's AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion.

I thought that giving a bird theme to the presentation of the gown in a museum period room was wacky
and rather wonderful; they are even present in the tapestries that are part of the permanent collection.