[4][2] The dress is an embroidered, off-the-shoulder cream couture gown with chiffon sleeves, made of silk organza over satin, and featuring beads, mother-of-pearls, sequins and raffia detailing.
[7] The raffia elements were in line with trends of the 1950s, with the dress embodying Dior's New Look, which reintroduced feminine features and voluminous skirts in a post-World War II era.
[4] She was photographed in the gown by Cecil Beaton for her official birthday portrait; she was captured reclining on a plush red sofa with an ornate tapestry backdrop, wearing a five-strand pearl necklace.
[8] The princess rewore the dress two months later on 21 November 1951, where she was the guest of honour at a charity gala organised by the Cercle de l'Union interalliée in benefit of the Hertford British Hospital.
[9][1][4] Princess Margaret, considered a fashion icon, remained a customer of Dior throughout her life, through the tenure of Yves Saint Laurent, transitioning from couture to ready-to-wear.
[12][1] A gala was held in January to mark the exhibit, attended by Princess Margaret's children, Lady Sarah Chatto and David Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon.
[1] Upon viewing the exhibition, Another Magazine stated that "the gown wears beautifully the fragile passing of time – it has enjoyed itself, as it should – yet its intricate couture embroidery remains, bulletproof: you get what you pay for".