Fashion Designer Christian Dior

Christian Dior fashions are loved by many, the highly recognizable Dior handbags, Dior sunglasses, Dior shoes, Dior Dresses, even Dior cologne; but who actually was this great fashion designer Christian Dior that has us all so intrigued? Christian Dior was an influential French fashion designer that was born in Normandy, France (1905-1957). He studied political science at his parent's insistence. After serving the obligatory 2 years in the French Army. After he got out, he opened an art gallery and was an art dealer from 1928-1931. He returned to Paris in 1935 and began his fashion design career by selling sketches. His hat designs were initially more successful than his dress designs. His dress designs were very much liked by some, especially Robert Piguet, who hired him in 1938.

During the great depression, Christian Dior lost his mother. His father's company declared bankruptcy at this time and Christian Dior himself contracted tuberculosis. Christian Dior's fashion design talent began to immerge during this hard time of his life. Christian Dior then began to work as a fashion illustrator and then as an assistant designer. Christian Dior was one of the many who were deployed by the French Army. After the war in 1939, he returned to fashion designing and in 1947, he launched the House of Dior.

For his first collection in 1947, he created the revolutionary "New Look" (actually called "Corolle Line") by Christian Dior himself, which featured rounded shoulders, a cinched waist, and the circular skirt, all created in luxurious fabrics. His new look employed fabrics lined predominantly with percale, boned, bustier-style bodices, hip padding, wasp-waisted corsets and petticoats that made his dresses flare out from the waist, giving his models a very curvaceous form. The hem of the Dior skirt was very flattering on the calves and ankles, creating a beautiful silhouette. Dior fashions meant it was back to femininity and luxury after the poor and depraved look due to the war. Christian Dior helped to re-establish Paris as the capital of world-fashion after the war. Dior became a great dictator of style during the 1950s. Each Dior collection throughout this period had a theme - classic suits, ballerina-length skirts, the H-line in 1954, and A- and Y-lines in 1955.

Dior became superstitous in his later years and every collection that he created included a coat called the Granville (named after his birthplace), at least one model wore a bunch of his favorite flower, lily of the valley, and Dior never began a couture show without having consulted his tarot card reader. Christian Dior's career as a top fashion designer only lasted 10 years (he died in 1957). The House of Dior continued to live, first under Yves Saint Laurent, and currently under John Galliano. Galliano's appraoch to fashion resembles Dior's intention when he started in 1947. In contrast to Chanel for example, Dior established a romantic and very feminine look, which emphasised luxury rather than comfort. Galliano, as Dior's successor, creates an equally feminine style, blending today's freedom of expression with the reminiscence of past opulence. The Dior brand has continued to be a label we all want, fantastic handbags and accessories, so we can all enjoy a bit of Dior in our styles.

Chanel Fashions and Accessories Available on eBay

~ HIGHER DIOR ~ CHRISTIAN DIOR ~ 3.4 EDT MEN ~ nib ~

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New Christian Dior Sunglasses DIORISSIMA 1/S 9ZU RED

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Christian Dior Sunglasses Diorlywood YB7 Pink w/Case

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Genuine Christian Dior Frames 3132 KWJ Choc/Gold w/Case

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Christian Dior Sunglasses Aviadior Ivory Pearl w/Case

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Authentic Christian Dior Frames 3672 000 Gold w/Case

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Christian Dior Sunglasses Windshield YB7 Silver w/Case

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