Dior : Luxury French Fashion House

One of the most well-known clothing brands in the world, Dior is a French high-end design house. In 1946, it was introduced by French fashion designer Christian Dior. French tycoon Bernard Arnault currently owns the company; he also owns and manages LVMH (Mot Hennessy Louis Vuitton), the greatest luxury fashion brand in the world. Dior sells one-of-a-kind accessories, apparel, and footwear in its shops.

Christian Dior

The French luxury fashion house Dior was established by Christian Dior, who was also a designer for the company. Granville, in Normandy, is where his parents gave birth. When his parents, Maurice Dior and Madeleine Martin, expanded their family to five children, he was the second one they welcomed into the world. Christian was born into a wealthy family that owned a fertiliser factory. At the age of five, Christian's family uprooted and moved to Paris, with the exception of summer vacations spent in Normandy.

His parents hoped he would become a diplomat, but he was much more interested in a career in the arts. Christian's father provided him with the capital to open an art gallery, which he ran successfully for three years until shutting after the passing of his mother and brother.

Upon his discharge from the military in 1942, Christian immediately went to work for the Lucien Lelong design firm. As a leading designer, he made formalwear for the wives of Nazi high leadership.

The first Miss Dior perfume was released in 1947 and was named after Christian's sister Catherine, a French Resistance member who was imprisoned by the Gestapo in Ravensbrück.

Discovering Dior

When France's wealthiest man, Marcel Boussac, offered Christian Dior the opportunity to design a garment for his 1925-founded fashion house, Philippe et Gaston, Christian rejected. He wanted to launch his own label.

His first collection, titled Corolle, was released on February 12, 1947.

Christian launched his business with funding from Marcel Boussac and a modest team of 80 employees.

Christian Dior's legacy continues

Sadly, Christian Dior passed away in Italy on October 24th, 1957. When the head designer passed away, the fashion house was thrown into chaos. General manager Jacques Rout was so overwhelmed that he pondered shutting the business down. The licensees had a negative reaction to the idea, saying that the brand was too important for the market to be eliminated.

Yves Saint-Laurent, at just 21 years old, became the company's new head designer when Jacques Rout promoted him to the position. Christian has only ever had one chief assistant, and he picked Laurent to be that person. After a few years of service in which he excelled, Laurent was honoured as a national hero and declared a national treasure. Laurent made a number of changes to the designs; Dior's original outfits had excellent fabric and well-defined lines. The young designer made the fabric more wearable by making it airier, plusher, and more convenient to put on.

The backlash he received for his bohemian 1960s persona infuriated Marcel Boussac. The management at Dior was understanding when Laurent decided to quit to join the French army.

The Here and Now

In March of 2015, Rihanna became the first black woman to be named an ambassador for Dior. Later that year, Israeli model Sofia Mechetner became the face of the company.

For the grand opening of his flagship shop in San Francisco in April 2016, Jamie King threw a celebration. Maria Grazia Chiuri became the head designer for women's fashion collections at the label in the same year.

In March of 2022, the public will be able to see 30 Avenue Montaigne. An extensive renovation was overseen by Peter Marino. At 30 Avenue Montaigne, Christian Dior presented his first ready-to-wear line.

FAQ

Is Dior considered a luxury brand?

Yes. Dior is classified as a luxury brand since it provides high-quality, high-priced merchandise.

What is so special about Dior?

The delicate needlework and trademark patterns in each of Dior's designs induce sensuality. The production of the house's clothing is a hidden technique that can only be accomplished by a trained couture atelier at their height.

What is Dior's style?

Dior's signature style was characterised by clean lines, geometric forms, and long skirts. Dior also made certain that each design had a feature that would improve the silhouette of the garment.

We also happen to be a magnet for suggestions, and would love to catch yours….throw us yours on hello@fabriclore.com

Learn, Create & Grow with us