Utter the words "new look" to the modern, fashion-loving miss and she will think you are referring to the inexpensive high street clothing chain.

She probably won't be aware that, 60 years ago, those same two words signified one of the most important changes the fashion world has seen.

In 1947, the couturier Christian Dior introduced his New Look, a radical style featuring rounded shoulders, cinched waists and ultra-feminine skirts that transformed women's appearances after years of military and civilian uniforms.

Now modern miss will be able to enjoy a masterclass in fashion history thanks to a new exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The Golden Age Of Couture: Paris And London 1947-1957 will celebrate the 60th anniversary of Dior's New Look.

It will feature more than 100 dresses from Paris designers including Dior, Coco Chanel, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Balmain and Cristóbel Balenciaga and their London counterparts Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies.

V&A director Mark Jones said: "The exhibition celebrates an important decade in fashion history, which had a huge influence on the way women dressed and the way the fashion industry evolved." More than 95 per cent of the dresses will be from the V&A's collections, with the museum also buying couture gowns for the exhibition.

One is a Givenchy blue cape from 1957, identical to the one worn by Audrey Hepburn in the film Funny Face. The most exciting find, however, is a red version of Dior's glamorous Zemire, a full-length skirt, bodice and long jacket that was thought to have been lost. Discovered in a Paris cellar, the original dress is believed to have been presented to Princess Margaret at Blenheim Palace in 1954.

The exhibitionwill also feature photographs by Cecil Beaton and Richard Avedon, films and haute couture pieces from John Galliano's autumn/winter 2005 collection for Dior.

• The Golden Age Of Couture: Paris And London 1947-1957 runs from 22 September until 6 January next year.