An essential in any woman’s wardrobe, the little black dress transcends trends and time, always the right thing to wear no matter the occasion.  When a woman dons a little black dress, she is telling the world that she is worldly, elegant, and stylish with just a hint of glamour and mystery.  The black dress has a much lauded history.  Here are some of the many memorable moments in black….

Anna Karenina, Tolstoy’s eponymous heroine, attracted the attentions of Count Vronksky wearing a black ball gown considered very provocative in 19th century Europe.

In Edith Wharton’s refined novel The Age of Innocence, Ellen Olenska shocked New York’s upper crust by wearing black satin to her coming out ball.  The other girls dressed in insipid pastels were forgotten but Ellen’s raven toilette remained memorable.

Coco Chanel revolutionised women’s fashion with her effortlessly elegant black jersey dress.  American Vogue dubbed it the “Ford” dress as it was so ubiquitous. The Little Black Dress became Chanel’s signature garment, often complemented by her nubby tweeds, endless reams of pearls and camellia motifs.

Wasp-waisted models in suits by Dior’s New Look- their garments remarkable not simply for their silhouette but also their prominent use of black in every conceivable fabric.

Catherine Denevue appearing divinely sensuous in Belle du Jour posed on a threshold wearing a slinky black and white number by Yves Saint Laurent.

Audrey Hepburn in the opening scenes of Breakfast at Tiffany’s wearing a sublimely elegant black shift by Hubert de Givenchy accented with a triple strand of pearls.

Oleg Cassini designing smart black shift dresses for Jackie Onnasis which she wore with great panache, often accessorising with her signature oversized sunglasses.

Lady Diana Spencer wearing a daringly low-cut black gown on her first public outing post Charles.

Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel has continued Madame’s vision of chic, languid style as epitomised by the LBD.   Indeed he has conjured up couture collections composed entirely of black dresses as homage to Chanel’s original designs.