The Little Guide To Christian Dior

Though his life was relatively short, Christian Ernest Dior's seismic influence on the fashion world ensures his name lives on as one of the most successful and celebrated designers of all time. Using the rationing restrictions of wartime, he created designs that extenuated the female figure and released the women of the world from the restrictive, dull clothing that restricted rather than enhanced femininity. It was Dior's sudden prominence on the world stage that restored Paris' reputation as the epicentre of the fashion world. To wear a Dior item of clothing, was to wear the best of the best. His post-War collection was described as a completely 'new look' by the editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar, one of the world's most powerful style magazines. The description was adopted and quickly became a fashion movement, with Dior's 'New Look' leading the way and even stealing the limelight from compatriot Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel. The Little Guide to Christian Dior shows how despite coming from a wealthy background with powerful allies, Christian Dior may not have had to scrap his way to the top as Coco Chanel did, but his talent is no less worthy and his legacy as one of the world's greatest designers is no less deserving. 'My dream? To make women happier and more beautiful.' As seen on Living in Fifties Fashion, 'Salute Mr Dior'

This richly illustrated entry in the stylish series tells the story of groundbreaking designer Christian Dior and the fashion house he founded. Christian Dior's spectacular rise to the upper echelons of Parisian haute couture is one of the most compelling stories of twentieth-century fashion. An art gallerist with a contemporary vision, Dior’s debut collection invented the “new look” silhouette and revolutionized the way women dressed, shopped, and saw themselves. The House of Dior’s unique style blended the traditional, artisanal skills of the French fashion house—tailoring and intricate embellishment—with a modern sensibility. Dior himself helmed the company for only a decade, but it has flourished under the creative direction of some of the most storied names in fashion. Currently, Maria Grazia Chiuri steers the brand as it stays true to its identity—of opulence, femininity, drama, and what Christian Dior called “the complete look,” from garments to perfume and shoes. Little Book of Dior tells the story of Christian Dior’s early life, the brand’s inception, the triumphs of the couture collections on the catwalk and the red carpet, and the brand’s journey after the death of its founder.

Using words and beautiful archival photos, British Vogue documents the illustrious career of one of the twentieth century’s greatest fashion designers. In 1947, Christian Dior stunned the fashion world with his first collection, the “New Look,” which transformed the way women dressed, and he continued to send shock waves with his later shows, significantly altering the fashion landscape. Vogue on Christian Dior tells the story of Dior’s search for the perfect line and how his unique style and vision of women’s ideal silhouette developed. One of the most famous designers of the 20th century, his name still fronts one of the most successful haute couture fashion houses. Vogue on Christian Dior is a volume from the series created by the editors of British Vogue. It features 20,000 words of original biography and history and is studded with 80 color and black-and-white images from their unique archive of photos taken by the leading photographers of the day, including Cecil Beaton, Horst P. Horst, Irving Penn, and Richard Avedon.

Over 170 quotes and fascinating facts about the creative genius who gave us the Little Black Dress and Chanel No. 5. Almost 50 years after her death, Coco Chanel remains one of the world's most influential fashion designers. Her story is one of creative brilliance and innovation – she was a driving force in freeing women from the restrictive clothing they had been obliged to wear for generations. 'In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different,' Chanel would say, and throughout her life she demonstrated extraordinary passion and determination to change the world around her. This little book is packed with memorable facts about Coco Chanel's life and influence, and full of quotes from the icon herself and some of the many people inspired by her. There is much wisdom to glean from Chanel's self-reflections, while her sharp wit and joie de vivre will amuse, surprise and inspire in equal measure. 'Fashion changes, but style endures.' As seen on vogue.co.uk, 18 August 2017, by Julia Neel. 'Nobody has ever told Coco Chanel what to think.' As seen on dailymail.co.uk, 10 September 2019, by Caroline Howe. 'A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.' As seen on marieclaire.co.uk, 4 October 2016, by Mariel Reed. 'The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.' As seen on harpersbazaar.com, 12 August 2017.

The boxed set of the stories of four iconic fashion houses, including images of their designs and text on the personalities behind the brands.

Fashion.

Miss Dior is a wartime story of freedom and fascism, beauty and betrayal and 'a gripping story' (Antonia Fraser). 'Exceptional . . . Miss Dior is so much more than a biography. It's about how necessity can drive people to either terrible deeds or acts of great courage, and how beauty can grow from the worst kinds of horror.'DAILY TELEGRAPHMiss Dior explores the relationship between the visionary designer Christian Dior and his beloved younger sister Catherine, who inspired his most famous perfume and shaped his vision of femininity. Justine Picardie's journey takes her to wartime Paris, where Christian honed his couture skills while Catherine dedicated herself to the French Resistance and the battle against the Nazis, until she was captured by the Gestapo and deported to the German concentration camp of Ravensbrück.Tracing the wartime paths of the Dior siblings leads Picardie deep into other hidden histories, and different forms of resistance and sisterhood. She discovers what it means to believe in beauty and hope, despite our knowledge of darkness and despair, and reveals the timeless solace of the natural world in the aftermath of devastation and destruction. 'Extraordinary . . . Picardie uses her investigative reporting skills . . . the result is Netflix-worthy and the pace page-turning . . . Catherine's story shines - the quiet Dior who preferred flowers to fashion, the unsung heroine who survived the abuse of the Third Reich to help liberate France.'SUNDAY TIMES

Originally published: London: Cassell, 1954.