Now that Christian Dior Fragrances and Beauty boutique has made its way to the Indian market with the launch of its first outlet here, we take a look at what makes this high fashion brand such a big name in the world of French luxury and beauty.
Here are the top 10 things you should know about Christian Dior, who founded the Dior brand.
"Deep in every heart slumbers a dream, and the couturier knows it: every woman is a princess." Christian Dior
1. Dior is the one of the world's top fashion houses in the league of of Chanel, Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Prada. It was founded by French fashion designer Christian Dior in 1946. Ever since it came into being, Dior has been favoured by Hollywood A-listers, budding starlets and international beauties.
2. Christian Dior was born in 1905 in the French seaside town of Granville. Though his parents wished he become a diplomat, the artistically inclined Dior had a different plan.
3. In 1947, Dior established his brand at 30 Avenue Montaigne, Paris and debuted his first fashion collection which celebrated the feminine hourglass shape.
4. His collection was called 'The New Look.' It consisted fitted jackets, that closed around the waist, and full calf length skirt stopped above the ankle.
5. Before 'The New Look' women dressed in practical, unflattering boxy knee-length skirts, clunky platform shoes and shoulder pads, all of this which Dior found ugly. He wanted to see fashion as a form of art, which is exactly what he did. Each piece he designed was a masterpiece by itself and not a practical garment.
7. Dior's style was considered to be a dramatic change from wartime austerity style which is why he pretty much caused a revolution in French fashion history that re-established Paris as the centre of the fashion world after World War II.
8. Dior famously stated that ‘a dress is a piece of ephemeral architecture, designed to enhance the proportions of the female body.’ He was inspired by architecture and his designs emphasised the female structure and form.
9. In 1948, Dior established a luxury ready-to-wear house, the first of its kind in New York.
10. That same year he launched Dior Parfums with Miss Dior, his first fragrance which he followed it up with Diorama.
11. Miss Dior was called so in honor of his sister, Catherine. He famously has said “A woman's perfume tells more about her than her handwriting."
12. From 1947 Dior was hailed as fashion’s king till his untimely death in 1957.