The Fashion World
Christian Dior
Christian DiorWe all know the name "Christian Dior" and feel 'chic' when wearing his clothes. The fashion shows are a wonder to behold and it's always a good name for the models to put on their CV.
But how many of us know the history of the man and the company?
Christian Dior was born in 1905, in the town of Granville on the coast of Normandy. At five years of age, the family moved to Paris and being artistically inclined, Christian began to sell his sketches for pocket money. When he left school, his father bought a small art gallery for Christian and a friend, where they sold their paintings and also the work of other artists, one of them being Pablo Picasso.
After the Great Depression of 1929, Christian's life changed! Both his parents died, his father's business collapsed and Christian had to close the art gallery. It was now, however, when he first came in contact with fashion. He started to work with the fashion designer Robert Piguet until he was called up for military service in 1940. After finishing his service, Christian began working for the couturier Lucien Long, where he and Pierre Balmain were the primary designers.
The Company "Christian Dior" was founded by Dior himself in 1946. The first fashion collection was shown in 1947, February 12th. This collection presented the 90 different looks. Named "Corolle" and "Huit," these lines were christened the "New Look," which was a phrased coined by US Harper's Bazaar magazine editor Carmel Snow.
Famous stars, such as Rita Hayworth and Margot Fonteyn, bought and wore pieces from Dior's collections and this raised the profile for the "House." The man himself was invited by the British Royal family to stage a private presentation of his collection!
In 1949, Dior arranged licensed production of his designs and this proved profitable for the company. Christian Dior was the first couturier to do this.
In 1957, Christian Dior died of a heart attack and there were 2,500 people who attended the funeral, many of these were his staff and famous clients, including the Duchess of Windsor.
The company was taken over by many (today) well-known designers (Yves Saint-Laurent being one) and is still going today over 74 years later. It is now a world-wide global brand which sells everything from women's clothes to make-up to aftershave to men's clothes to children and baby clothes. It may seem expensive when compared to other brands but the quality is well worth the money, not to mention the prestige of having and wearing such beautiful designs.
