Bonhams - from the vault: an impressive private collection of Dior headlines bonhams new york dedicated sale

2026-02-24

Bonhams is set to shine a spotlight on the world of Dior with From the Vault: Dior, an online sale taking place on bonhams.com from 9–20 March 2026.The 127-lot curated auction is both a testament to a discerning collector’s taste and style and a celebration of the Maison’s exceptional craftsmanship. The sale features a luxurious selection of bags, ready-to-wear and jewellery, spanning multiple creative eras under the leadership of John Galliano, Gianfranco Ferré, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri - the first female creative director of Dior - who have each reinterpreted Christian Dior’s original vision while preserving its core values of elegance, structure and craftsmanship.

Christian Dior was one of the most influential figures in 20th-century fashion, reshaping how women dressed in the post-war era and founding one of the world’s most powerful luxury houses. Established with his revolutionary debut collection in February 1947, the House of Dior came to define haute couture, innovation, and modern femininity. For Dior, accessories were as integral as the dress itself.

John Galliano took the reins at Dior in 1997. A long-standing admirer of the House, the British designer shared its founder’s fascination with eclectic influences, historical romanticism, and the celebration of the exaggerated female form. During his tenure, Galliano pushed the boundaries of fashion while remaining true to the maison’s enduring ethos, notably with his iconic and highly coveted ready-to-wear bias-cut slip dresses.

A sale highlight is a John Galliano for Christian Dior, ready-to-wear, red damask gold embellished gown, Fall/Winter 1997. The dress was shown in Galliano's first ready to wear collection for the house in Paris, following his couture collection debut in January 1997. A version of the dress with asymmetrical gold button details, and gold beaded collar was included in China: Through the Looking Glass (2015) - the Costume Institute exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Offered with an estimate of US$3,000-5,000.

Marissa Speer, Bonhams Head of Sale for Handbags & Fashion, US, commented

“Dior is synonymous with some of the world’s most coveted style, from Christian Dior’s transformative 1947 Bar suit, which redefined post-war femininity, to the Maison’s continued innovation under successive creative directors. Among them, John Galliano stands out for his tenure in the late 1990s and early 2000s. During this period, he created some of the most recognisable and sought-after designs of the era, including the masterfully engineered bias-cut slip dress, inspired by the pioneering techniques of Madeleine Vionnet. Though often deceptively simple in appearance, these gowns were technically complex, cut on the bias to contour the body. Today, Galliano’s bias-cut slip dresses remain highly prized by collectors and are emblematic of his visionary approach to femininity and craftsmanship. Their enduring desirability continues to generate significant interest at auction.”

Slip dress highlights include

• A John Galliano for Christian Dior, pink chiffon bias-cut gown, Fall 2004. The silk gown with button closure, asymmetrical ruffle sleeve and decorative panel stitching throughout is offered with an estimate of US$3,000-5,000. 

 

• A John Galliano for Christian Dior, blue chiffon bias-cut ruffle gown, Fall 2004. The silk gown with button closure, is offered with an estimate of US$2,000-5,000.

 

• A John Galliano for Christian Dior, slate blue silk bias-cut belted logo gown, Fall Winter 2004. Offered with an estimate of US$3,000-5,000.

 

• A John Galliano for Christian Dior, blue silk bias cut beaded gown, Fall 2004. The silk gown with glass embellishment, button closure and exaggerated open back, is offered with an estimate of US$3,000-5,000. 

 

 

• A John Galliano for Christian Dior, blue bias-cut damask gown, Spring 1998. The bias-cut ruffle gown with exaggerated open back detail, is offered with an estimate of US$1,200-1,800.

Ready-to-wear highlights include

• A John Galliano for Christian Dior, black silk jacquard ensemble consisting of a bias-cut maxi skirt, draped coat and jacket with exaggerated tail, Fall 1998. Offered with an estimate of US$1,200-1,800. 

 

• A John Galliano for Christian Dior, black and white houndstooth wool pant suit, Fall 1999. Offered with an estimate of US$800-1,200. 

 

• A John Galliano for Christian Dior, grey tweed draped coat and trouser ensemble, Fall 1998. Offered with an estimate of US$500-800.  

Accessory highlights include

• A John Galliano for Christian Dior, metallic gold cannage leather mini Lady Dior, with brushed gold hardware, circa 1997. The bag is offered with an estimate of US$2,000-3,000.

 

• A John Galliano for Christian Dior, herringbone wool medium Lady Dior with gunmetal hardware, circa 1999. The bag is offered with an estimate of US$1,800-2,200.

• A John Galliano for Christian Dior, light blue damask silk embellished mini Lady Dior, with silver tone hardware with crystal embellished detail, Spring Summer 1998. Offered with an estimate of US$1,200-1,800. 

 

• A John Galliano for Christian Dior, blue jean cannage denim medium Lady Dior with silver tone hardware, circa 1998. Offered with an estimate of US$1,200-1,800.

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