"It's quite a revelation dear Christian. Your dresses have such a new look!" - Carmel Snow 1947
In all referenced works, it is said that the history of contemporary fashion began in 1947 with Christian Dior's "New Look"
Born: January 21, 1905
Birthplace: Granville, Manche, Basse-Normandie, France
Nationality: French
House Inception: December 1946
Debut Haute Couture Collection: February 1947 (Corolle/Figure 8)
Title: Grand couturier (member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture)
Labels: Christian Dior, Christian Dior Couture, Dior Homme, Parfums Christian Dior, Dior Joaillerie, Baby Dior.
Education: Initially studied political science prior to design at the request of his parents.
Inspirations: Perpetually stated inspirations for his designs were rooted in the beauty of the female form (Dior once said, "I have designed flower women"). In his autobiography, Dior revealed he would venture to the French countryside to draw inspiration for upcoming collections.
Classifications: Haute couture, prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear), menswear, accessories, fine jewelry and timepieces, beauty & fragrance, infant wear.
Clients: Princess Margaret, Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, Marlene Dietrich, Wallis the Duchess of Windsor.
Diorable Facts: Monsieur Dior was highly superstitious and would frequent fortune tellers to seek guidance regarding his life. At one visit whilst he was only 14, a young Christian Dior was told, "...women are lucky for you and through them you will achieve great success."
In 1957, Dior was the first designer to grace the cover of Time Magazine.
In 1947, Harper's Bazaar editor-in-chief Carmel Snow is credited with coining the term, "The New Look". Upon viewing Dior's debut collection, she exclaimed to the designer, "It's quite a revelation dear Christian. Your dresses have such a new look!"
Here is a remarkable 6 minute documentary chronicling the early days of Christian Dior to the house's modern collections designed by John Galliano.
Priceless video from 1947 (Running over just one minute)
“At the risk of being thought soulless, I must admit that clothes are my whole life. Ultimately, everything I know, see, or hear, every part of my life, turns around the clothes which I create. They haunt me perpetually, until they are ready to pass from the world of my dreams into the world of practical utility.” - Monsieur Christian Dior
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