Contents
Christian Dior
Introducing the New Look that reshaped postwar fashion.
Bar suit · Miss Dior
- Born
- 21 January 1905
- Birthplace
- Granville, France
- Died
- 24 October 1957
More people
Christian Dior
Christian Dior was a French fashion designer whose first collection made his new Paris house internationally prominent. His designs favoured sculpted silhouettes and a return to elaborate couture after wartime austerity.
Early life
Normandy home
Grew up in a prosperous family whose Granville house and garden left a lasting impression.
Art before fashion
Initially pursued art and ran a gallery in Paris.
Career
- 1930s
Fashion drawings
Sold illustrations and began work in couture.
- 1938–1940s
Design houses
Worked for Robert Piguet and later Lucien Lelong.
- 1946–1947
Own house
Established his business and presented its first collection in February 1947.
- 1950s
International expansion
Extended the house through overseas business and perfumes.
Selected work
Bar suit
A fitted jacket and full skirt exemplifying the New Look.
Miss Dior
The fashion house’s first perfume.
H line
A later collection exploring a straighter silhouette.
Beyond work
Gardens
Flowers and gardening remained important sources of pleasure and design inspiration.
Succession
Yves Saint Laurent worked as his assistant before succeeding him after his death.
Sources & photo credit
Life and career ↗Institutional or specialist reference ↗Photo: Paris-Match, editeur. CC0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
