Dior's New Look was suspected in the Commons of drawing extra ration coupons
Dior (@dior) showed the New Look in Paris on 12 February 1947. On 6 July 1948 it was on the order paper at Westminster. Wilson Harris, Independent MP for Cambridge University, asked the President of the Board of Trade what extra cloth had been allocated for "the increased length and volume of ladies' dresses". Arthur Bottomley answered for the Board: cloth was not allocated to manufacturers at all, they obtained it against the coupons they received for their garments, and no concession was allowed for any extravagant use. Asked directly whether more cloth was going out for the longer skirt, he said no, Sir. Then Major Haughton, Ulster Unionist for Antrim, asked whether the Board had authorised extra coupons for manufacturers specialising in New Look dresses, and where the line was drawn. No alteration in practice. Official Report, vol 453, cc206-7. The Board of Trade is remembered as the New Look's enemy, and it had condemned the style while cloth was still rationed. The record shows the department did not feed the skirt either. A maker who wanted the fuller cut bought his cloth with the same coupons as the maker of the ordinary dress. Clothes rationing ran from June 1941 to March 1949.