Christian Dior (1905 – 1958) was one of the most influential designers of the 20th century. From 1941-1946, Dior worked at Lucien Lelong. While there he attracted the attention of textile maker Marcel Boussac, who became Dior’s financial backer.
In the spring of 1947 Dior showed his first major collection, the “Corolle” line, which came to be known as the “New Look”. The “New Look” was made up of long, full skirts and a nipped-in waist that called for the use of a corset. Dior continued to be a major force in the fashion world in the 1950s, with a new silhouette each season, including the Princess line of 1951, the “H” line of 1954, and the “A” and “Y” lines of 1955.
After Dior’s death in 1958, his assistant, Yves Saint Laurent, became the head designer at Dior. The head designers at Dior have been:
1947 -1958 – Christian Dior
1958 -1960 – Yves Saint Laurent
1960 -1989 – Marc Bohan
1989 -1996 – Gianfranco Ferré
1996 -2011 – John Galliano
2011 -2012 – Bill Gaytten
2012 -2016 – Raf Simons
2016 – Maria Grazia Chiuri
The New York, London, and Boutique labels are ready-to-wear labels. Until the early 1960s these labels were designed in Paris, first by Christian Dior and, after his death, by Saint Laurent and Bohen. After about 1961 these lines were designed in New York and London by designers hired specifically to do just those lines.
“I created flower women with gentle shoulders and generous bosoms, with tiny waists like stems and skirts belling out like petals.” Christian Dior
Notes: Dior couture labels are often dated with the season and the year, and the label is stamped with an identification number. Note, however, that some boutique labels are also stamped with a number, as this alone does not denote that a garment is couture.
Written by Lizzie Bramlett, fuzzylizzie.com
See also: Miss Dior
from a 1949 silk gown
Courtesy of marzillivintage
from a late 1940s/early 1950s dress & jacket
Courtesy of artisannes
from a 1953 couture dress
Courtesy of artisannes
from a 1956 wool cocoon cape coat
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
from a 1950s Boutique dress
Courtesy of shopping-goddess
from a 1950s dress
Courtesy of coutureallure.com
from a 1950s skirt
Courtesy of vintagevoyager
from a 1950s jacket
Courtesy of claireshaeffer
from a pair of 1958 shoes
Courtesy of midge
from late 1950s court shoes
Courtesy of stellarosevintage
from a late 1950s/early 1960s dress
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
from a pair of 1960s below elbow leather gloves
Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage
from a 1961 couture dress
Courtesy of artisannes
from an early 1960s hat
Courtesy of atticville.com
from a 1960s hat
Courtesy of vintageclothesline.com
from a 1960s tie
Courtesy of morning-glorious
from a 1960s turban
Courtesy of dorotheascloset
from a mid 1960s dress
Courtesy of artisannes
from a 1960s faux fur
Courtesy of PoppysVintageClothing
from a 1960s couture coatdress
Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer
from a 1960s jacket
Courtesy of claireshaeffer
from a 1965 couture dress
Courtesy of artisannes
from a 1966 suit
Courtesy of PoppysVintageClothing
from a late 1960s hat
Courtesy of vintageclothesline.com
from a 1960s shirt
Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage
from an early 1970s gown
Courtesy of coutureallure.com
from a 1970s robe
Courtesy of bigchief173
from a 1970s nightgown
Courtesy of vintagepretties
from a 1970s skirt
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
from a 1970s nightgown
Courtesy of vintagepretties
from a 1970s trench coat
Courtesy of crazybubba
from a 1970s mens blazer
Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage
from a 1970s velvet hat
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
from a 1970s silk mens sweater
Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage
from a 1970s blouse
Courtesy of claireshaeffer
from a 1980s slip hang tag
Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage
from a 1980s slip
Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage
from a 1980s caftan
Courtesy of vintagepretties
from a 1980s halter
Courtesy of caligold
from a 1980s suit jacket
Courtesy of pinupdresses
from a 1980s suit
Courtesy of coutureallure.com
from a 1980s robe
Courtesy of claireshaeffer
from a late 1980s dress
Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com
from a 1987 white fox coat
Courtesy jazzbug
from a 1988/89 dress
Courtesy of claireshaeffer
from an early 1990s shirt
Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage
from an early 1990s skirt suit
Courtesy of claireshaeffer
from a mid 1990s evening top
Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage
Question or Comment? Enter it below.