Fashion Designer - Christian Dior

Christian Dior is a legend for the fashion industry all over the world. When he was ten he moved to Paris with his parents, but born and raised in Normandy, France. He assisted in the military after studying political science. His approach towards fashion after going to war was giving a ‘New Look’, a ‘New Outlook’. He announced the ‘new Look’, the most important couturiers of the twentieth century in 1947 which was his very first collection. The ‘New Look’ distinguished ultra-femininity and magnificence in women’s fashion introducing rounded shoulders, a cinched waist, and very full skirt. Dior’s career began by selling his sketches right after he returned to Paris in 1935. In 1938, he worked with designer Robert Piguet and then, at a much larger design house, Dior worked with Lucien Lelong in 1941. He opened his own house in 1946 by textile industrialist Marcel Boussac. Dior facilitated to renovate a struggling postwar Paris as the capital of fashion.

He had particular themes for all his collections

Dinner dress from Spring 1947 collection "Carolle" or "figure 8".

A label that advocated the silhouette of the new look with its bulging shoulders, emphasized hips, and small waist. 

From Spring 1955's Collection "A-line". 

With its undecided waist and smooth silhouette that widened over the hips and legs, similar to a capital "A." 

Ball Gown from "Venus" Collection in 1949.

Gray silk net embroidered with feather–shaped opalescent sequins, rhinestones, simulated pearls, and paillettes. 

Jacques Rouet, Dior’s partner founded license arrangements in the fashion business. Deals for fur, stockings, and perfumes, had been decided with well-paid licensing in 1948. This income made Dior a household name. Christian Dior died in 1957, leaving his legendary style behind. Although Dior is no longer with us, the House of Dior is still a successful business today and surely Dior’s fashion will keep on inspiring today’s designers.

Harvard System Referencing: Charleston, Beth Duncuff. "Christian Dior (1905–1957)". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–2013. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/dior/hd_dior.htm [Accessed in 27 March 2014]