Christian Dior (1905-1957) was born in Normandy, France.

Having studied political science and several years of indecision and military service he returned to Paris in 1935.

Dior began his design career selling sketches with his hat designs being better received than his dress designs.

He was hired by Robert Piguet in 1938 and during the war served in the South of France.

Returning to Paris in 1941 he worked for Lucien Lelong and in 1946 he was in a position to open his own house, backed by textile manufacturer Marcel Boussac.

His first fashion collection presented in 1947 called "New Look" which featured rounded shoulders, a cinched waist, and a very full skirt was extremely popular.

The signature of Dior creations at this point was opulence.

Dior often described as the last great dictator of style in the 1950s produced fashion collections with themes throughout this time such as classic suits, ballerina-length skirts, the H-line in 1954, and A- and Y-lines in 1955.

With his partner Jaques Rouet, Dior was pioneered the development of license agreements in the fashion business. By1948, he had arranged licensed production of furs, socks, ties, perfumes, and clothing in regionally seperate production centers. This undoubtedly contributed to the swift spreading of the brand throughout the globe.

He hired Yves Saint Laurent in 1953 as an assistant. Following Dior's sudden death in 1957 Saint Laurent became the head designer and introduced the trapeze dress in his first fashion collection for the house.

Yves Saint Laurent was called for military duty in 1960 and at this point Marc Bohan became head designer.

Gianfranco Ferre in turn replaced him in 1989.

In 1996 John Galliano to the applause of the fashion world joined Dior.

Galliano was seen as perfect for Dior as his romantic, feminine looks matched those qualities adopted by Dior in the 1940's.

---

www.dior.com