Christian Dior, born on January 21, 1905, in Granville, France, was a pivotal figure in the fashion industry. He founded one of the world's most famous fashion houses, Dior, which became synonymous with luxury, elegance, and innovation in haute couture.
Dior was the second of five children in a prosperous family where his father owned a fertilizer factory. Despite his early inclination towards arts, his family initially directed him towards a career in political science, which he studied at the École des Sciences Politiques. However, Dior's passion for art led him to open an art gallery in 1928, where he sold works by artists like Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst. The gallery struggled due to the financial crisis of the 1930s, leading to its closure in 1931.
After the gallery's closure, Dior began designing clothes, initially working for designers like Robert Piguet and later for Lucien Lelong during World War II. His big break came in 1946 when Marcel Boussac, known as the "Cotton King," provided the financial backing for Dior to open his own fashion house.
In 1947, Dior introduced the "New Look" which revolutionized women's fashion post-World War II. This style featured a cinched waist, emphasized bust, and a full, long skirt, moving away from the utilitarian clothing of wartime. The New Look was not only a style statement but also symbolized a return to opulence and femininity, which garnered both admiration and criticism for its extravagant use of fabric during a time of rationing.
Christian Dior's influence extended beyond fashion design:
Dior passed away unexpectedly in 1957 at the age of 52 from a heart attack. His assistant, Yves Saint-Laurent, was appointed as his successor, continuing the legacy of the Dior brand.