Christian Lacroix opened his fashion house in Paris in 1987. He is credited with bringing the glamour and extravagance of 1950s styles to the fashion scene of the '80s and '90s. Renowned for his ability to combine elaborate fabrics, vibrant colors, and bold silhouettes, Lacroix is also known for capturing the mood of the 1980s and its prevalent taste for conspicuous consumption. 

 

This elaborate evening dress exemplifies Lacroix's ultrafeminine and sexy silhouettes. By combining design elements such as a sweetheart neckline, boned bodice, V-shaped waistline, and full skirt supported by a crinoline, Lacroix created a style reminiscent of the grand ball gowns of the 1950s. The attached crinoline includes panniers, or "poufs," on either side below the waist to further extend and exaggerate the width of the skirt—a Lacroix hallmark. The long detached sleeves mimic the formality of opera-length gloves. The edgier fingerless glove style, however, was popularized by pop stars like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper.