What Katie Did
DIOR & THE POINT HEEL
Today we’re exploring the history of point heel fully fashioned stockings and their couture link to Christian Dior. Over on Substack, there’s a new article continuing the theme with Madonna, vintage lingerie, and Lady Marlene.
Darling ,
I’ve been told I’m not allowed to write about tariffs and duties, so instead I’ve been happily distracted by the history of point heel – or French heel – fully fashioned stockings.
I’ve long said that Christian Dior helped make the point heel famous, choosing it to complement his elegant post-war gowns. That part still stands. But a little deeper research revealed a lesser-known detail: Dior stockings were always made under licence.
Dior’s General Manager, Jacques Rouët, was notably ahead of his time. Faced with high US customs duties that made it difficult for Paris couturiers to profit from American clients, he embraced licensing accessories such as hosiery and supported Dior’s decision to open boutiques on New York’s Fifth Avenue – making Dior one of the first French houses to do so.
Although information is scarce, we do know that Dior hosiery was produced in multiple countries, including the USA, with at least one factory in Reading, Pennsylvania. A pleasing coincidence, given that our own HQ is in Reading, Berkshire (UK).
This is where the story connects directly to fully fashioned stockings today. Fully fashioned stockings are knitted on Reading machines – named after Reading, PA, where the machines themselves were manufactured. These remarkable machines later travelled across the Atlantic, and today the few surviving examples are found only in the UK and France.
While it’s very unlikely that the vintage machines used to make our fully fashioned stockings were ever commissioned to produce hosiery under the Dior name, we do know they once made Aristoc stockings. What is certain is that they still create stockings in exactly the same way they did in the 1950s: slowly, skilfully, and with unmistakable results.
Point Heel Fully Fashioned Stockings
Our Point Heel Fully Fashioned Stockings capture the height of 1950s sophistication. Defined by a sleek back seam and elegant pointed heel, they were a couture favourite and remain a timeless choice for vintage lovers today. The sharply tapered heel creates a longer, leaner line, subtly transforming the look of the leg.
Knitted on original 1950s Reading machines, each pair is made to the same exacting standards as they were over half a century ago – for true vintage authenticity you can see and feel.
IN OTHER NEWS
Over on Substack, there’s a new article on Madonna, vintage lingerie, and Lady Marlene. Follow along for deep dives into fashion history, flea-market finds, and design inspiration.
WHAT KATIE DID SOCIAL
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OUTSIDE THE UK?
We ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), which means no surprise fees or extra tariffs when your order arrives – everything is taken care of upfront.
REVIEWS
If you’ve ever bought something from us and felt it was special, we’d love you to leave a review.
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