Fashion History Classics: Who invented the first A-Line collection?
The term ‘A-Line’ is usually used to describe a certain type of clothing, usually a dress, skirt or coat that is shaped like the capital letter ‘A’. It is narrow at the top and flares away from the hip towards the knees.
In 1955, the term was first used by French couture designer Christian Dior as the label for his new spring collection. But what was already given its name for by Dior, was not the A-shape that is now understood. The new A-line idea which featured dresses flaring out dramatically from a fitted shoulder line was given its definitive expression and was populated by Yves Saint Laurent with his “Trapeze Line” of spring 1958.
Not even 2 years later, the A-line clothes became extremely popular for 2 decades – the 1960s and 70s. It disappeared from fashion almost completely by the early 1980s and was revived by the retro trend of the late 1990s. By that time, “A-line” was used more to describe any clothing item like dress, skirts or coats that was wider at the hips than at the bust or waist.
| Related Articles: |
| 1_Fashion History / Christian Dior’s New Look |
| 2_Christian Dior in speakfashion’s fashion dictionary |
| 3_The A-Line in speakfashion’s fashion dictionary |
Tags: A-Line, Christian Dior, Dior, Fashion 1900, Fashion 20th Century, Fashion Classics, Fashion History, Fashion History 1900, H-Line, speak fashion, speakfashion, speaking fashion, Y-Line, YSL, Yves Saint Laurent
