Fashion Flashback: Christian Dior
Christian Dior has always been associated with timeless class and elegance. Yet in the same breath, people call him revolutionary and a visionary in the field of fashion. Since that faithful day of February 12, 1947 – where he presented his very first collection in Paris – Dior successfully set the rod in which all other designers were measured. His look was new, seductive, and would continue to influence the world of Fashion and Design even decades after.
In this second instalment of our on-going feature series called #FashionFlashback , we will explore the House of Dior through the decades. Let us take a quick look at the journey of Christian Dior from his beginnings in France to the famous ”Dior Feminist Shirt” of 2017. Click through to find out more.
1905 
©Collection musée Christian Dior, Granville
Christian Dior is born Granville, a seaside town on the coast of Normandy, France. ‘[He] grew up in what would remain for him the archetype of a happy home. Christian Dior kept "the sweetest and most marvellous memory" of it.[1]
1946
The House of Dior opens on December 16 at 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris.
1947
The House of Dior launches his first collection at 30 Avenue Montaigne, which successfully made The New Look a widespread sensation thereafter. This look introduced a much more feminine silhouette with tiny waists, emphasized bust-area, and volumed skirts.
This would prove to be such a sensation that the news reached America before the rest of France (as the press were on strike at the time). This newness was so iconic for the time as it brought back seduction and sexiness to feminine clothing which was more or less absent or secondary during the war which brought about clothing designed more for utility and agility. [2]
1957
photo from www.time.com
Christian Dior suddenly dies of a heart attack after appearing on the cover of Time Magazine earlier that year.
1961 
photo from mirror.com.uk [4]
Dior cements his iconic design as actress Elizabeth Taylor wins Best Actress for Butterfield 8 in a beautiful Christian Dior creation.
1970 
Christian Dior launches its first Christian Dior Homme line.
1997
photo from 2011 Haute Couture Collection by Galliano for Dior [6]
John Galliano becomes Director of Dior, creating for the House an array of avant-garde designs which maintained the brand's visionary outlook.
2005
photo from bloor-yorkville.com
The House of Dior commemorates Christian’s 100th birthday with an extravagant exhibit.
2017
Dior makes a splash with their We Should All Be Feminists shirt which was worn by celebrities and famous personalities more notably in the Women’s March in America earlier this year. [5]
For more of our #FashionFlashbacks, see: Coco Chanel, Guccio Gucci , Pierre Balmain
References:
[1] "Heritage." Dior Official Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.
[2] "History of Dior." History of Fashion. N.p., 31 Aug. 2013. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.
[3] "The New Look Revolution / The Story of Dior / The House of Dior / Dior Official Website."The New Look Revolution / The Story of Dior / The House of Dior / Dior Official Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.
[4] Corner, Natalie. "Oscars 2015: The 10 Best Dresses Ever including Jennifer Lawrence, Gwyneth Paltrow and Audrey Hepburn." Mirror. N.p., 22 Feb. 2015. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.
[5] Fisher, Lauren Alexis. "Dior's Feminist Shirt Is (Unsurprisingly) Proving To Be The Tee of The Season." Harper's BAZAAR. N.p., 24 Jan. 2017. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.
[6] Http://www.bykoket.com/news/author/kkadminuser. "Happy Birthday John Galliano: Celebrating 56 Years!" News Events. N.p., 29 Nov. 2016. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.
[7] "Bloor-Yorkville Welcomes Christian Dior to Bloor Street." Bloor Yorkville. N.p., 14 Sept. 2016. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.
1905
Christian Dior is born Granville, a seaside town on the coast of Normandy, France. ‘[He] grew up in what would remain for him the archetype of a happy home. Christian Dior kept "the sweetest and most marvellous memory" of it.[1]
1946
The House of Dior opens on December 16 at 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris.
1947
The House of Dior launches his first collection at 30 Avenue Montaigne, which successfully made The New Look a widespread sensation thereafter. This look introduced a much more feminine silhouette with tiny waists, emphasized bust-area, and volumed skirts.
This would prove to be such a sensation that the news reached America before the rest of France (as the press were on strike at the time). This newness was so iconic for the time as it brought back seduction and sexiness to feminine clothing which was more or less absent or secondary during the war which brought about clothing designed more for utility and agility. [2]
1957
Christian Dior suddenly dies of a heart attack after appearing on the cover of Time Magazine earlier that year.
1961
Dior cements his iconic design as actress Elizabeth Taylor wins Best Actress for Butterfield 8 in a beautiful Christian Dior creation.
1970
Christian Dior launches its first Christian Dior Homme line.
1997
John Galliano becomes Director of Dior, creating for the House an array of avant-garde designs which maintained the brand's visionary outlook.
2005
The House of Dior commemorates Christian’s 100th birthday with an extravagant exhibit.
2017
Dior makes a splash with their We Should All Be Feminists shirt which was worn by celebrities and famous personalities more notably in the Women’s March in America earlier this year. [5]