Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic Christian Dior dress, famously worn on the night she won the Best Actress award at the 1961 Oscars, has recently been discovered in an unexpected location. The dress, with its stunning floral print and a striking crimson silk bloom at the waist, was believed to be safely stored in the Christian Dior archive in Paris. However, it was revealed that the gown, along with 11 other precious garments owned by Taylor, had been carefully kept in a large plastic suitcase in her former personal assistant’s spare room for over 50 years.
On the memorable night of the 33rd Academy Awards, Taylor, accompanied by her scandalous fourth husband Eddie Fisher, dazzled audiences with the enchanting design created by Marc Bohan for Dior. At the time, Taylor’s relationship with Fisher was highly controversial, as she was accused of stealing him away from actress Debbie Reynolds. This scandalous love triangle had generated a wave of negative publicity, leading Taylor to doubt her chances of winning the Best Actress award. Kerry Taylor, the owner of a specialist vintage fashion auction house, explained that Taylor considered the dress her lucky charm, especially after her unexpected triumph at the Oscars. She treasured the garment so much that she always carried it with her, though she never wore it on any other occasion.
The garments preserved in the suitcase were part of the generous gifts given to Taylor’s former employee, Anne Sanz, and her husband Gaston, who served as Taylor’s chauffeur and bodyguard during the height of her fame in the 1960s and 70s. Eager travelers, the couple had accompanied Taylor and her then-husband Richard Burton around the world. By 1971, Taylor’s wardrobe had become so vast – sometimes consisting of up to 40 suitcases – that she decided to declutter and encouraged Sanz to take whatever caught her eye. Along with the renowned Dior dress, Taylor also bestowed upon Sanz a beautiful white cocktail dress and matching bolero for her wedding.
The upcoming auction will be a treasure trove of Taylor’s coveted collection. Among the featured items are Tiziani haute couture pieces designed by Karl Lagerfeld and a robe Taylor wore in the 1967 film “Boom,” also created by Lagerfeld. Interestingly, Taylor and Burton even served as godparents to the Sanz’s daughter, Elizabeth. However, due to Taylor and Burton’s second separation, the Sanz couple eventually resigned from their positions, unable to choose which celebrity to continue working for.
Over the years, Sanz had casually worn a few of the dresses herself and given others to friends and family, oblivious to their historical significance or value. To her, they were just ordinary second-hand dresses that once belonged to Elizabeth Taylor. The auction for the Christian Dior dress is scheduled to take place in London on December 6, with an estimated price of £40,000-60,000 ($48,000-$73,000). This extraordinary fashion artifact is sure to entice collectors and enthusiasts of Elizabeth Taylor’s legacy from all corners of the globe.
For more information on Elizabeth Taylor’s fashion influence and iconic dresses:
The Guardian – Elizabeth Taylor’s Iconic Fashion Moments
To explore the history and legacy of Christian Dior:
Vogue – The Story of Christian Dior: From Haute Couture to the Iconic Saddle Bag
