Christian Dior's new, limited-edition Tailleur Bar Haute Couture Look set ($90) jumped into my arms Friday as I shopped the Beauty Event at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. My friend, Risa Levenson, a regional representative for some of the classiest cosmetics lines on earth, made sure I saw the new Dior offerings (including the new lip colors I will show you this week). Today, I want to show you the Tailleur Bar set, which contains an eye shadow palette and Sérum de Rouge Luminous Color Lip Treatment, both pieces presented like an elegant gift in a white box with molded compartments for each piece. Just like artwork, each piece is numbered. Mine is No. 3233.When you remove the protective sleeve and open the white box, you find a white, card-weight brochure with directions for use and a history of the Tailleur Bar (bar suit) legacy. I apologize for the blue-grey cast of my photo below. I took it without a flash, and it's dark.
In 1947, Christian Dior presented his first haute couture collection. The public was amazed by his new vision of the elegant woman, with her accented curves and regal posture. His look took the world by storm. Instantly named the "New Look" by Carmel Snow, Editor in Chief of Harp
er's Bazaar, the Tailleur Bar suit perfectly embodied the new silhouette. The jacked, with its nipped waist, and the full, twirling skirt became a symbol of Dior fashion. René Gruau, long-time associate of Dior, immortalized the Bar Suit in a sketch that captured Dior's genius in a few clever strokes. This legendary image is now embossed on the limited-edition eye shadow palette.There are two main shades in the eye shadow palette: lavender and grey. You can see them on my arm at left. The photo was taken as the sun started to du
ck behind the clouds. Although there are other shades (the model's face and arms are pale, and her hat and gloves are dark), they are very small and would be extremely difficult to use unless you select a fine eyeliner brush for application.I took my photo of the palette after I had used it (sorry!), but you can see how large the expanses of lavender and grey are and how tiny the other shades are. No matter! The lavender and grey are beautiful. Look at the refined grey color (the suit jacket) with it's slight blue cast. Both shades have just enough shimmering gleam to make your eyes pop.
The Sérum de Rouge in #470 is a gorgeous petal pink, a new shade. Purchased alone it is $32. I showed you a swatch of it in July when the new Sérum de Rouge shades were introduced. Here it is again at right. I'm quite happy to have two. Now I can keep one in my handbag.
Tailleur Bar is exclusive to Neiman Marcus in the United States. I do not know if its sister store, Bergdorf Goodman, received it. I can tell you that it's not only limited, it's very limited! If you want it, I recommend you call your favorite Neiman Marcus soon.
Photos by BTiB