Christian Dior was a French designer whose legacy lasted for over 60 years and is still continuing and growing now.  He founded his own fashion house in 1946 after joining the fashion house of Lucien Lelong as a primary designer.  In 1950 the company began licensing Dior’s name and two years later opened a boutique in London.  In 1957 Christian Dior past away with a heart attack.   This left the company to find a new lead for the fashion house.  They approached Yves Saint Laurent who then came to become the lead designer for only 4 years.  Marc Bohan, an already employee within Dior then snatched up the offer and continued the name until 1989.  This was longer than Christian himself.  Dior was taken on in the late 1970’s by Arnualt after running into financial difficulty with profits shrinking.  Arnault employed an Italian designer named Gianfranco Ferre to succeed Marc Bohan as artistic director.  However in 1996 his rein was over and UK designer, John Galliano stepped up to replace him.  Galliano is the present Christian Dior head of house.

Dior first launch onto the catwalk was in 1947.  It was called Carolle meaning circlet of flower petals.  The line was phrased by editor-in-chief of Harpers bazaar as New Look.  His designs were more voluptuous rather than boxy, fabric conversing shapes for the ration fabrics war.  He was master at creating shapes and silhouttes.  The line had bustier style bodices, hip padding, wasp-waisted corsets and petticoats that made his dresses flare out from the waist.  He gave more curves to the silhouette.

Currently Dior Spring/Summer 2010 line still shows these legendary styles.  There are Corsets with lace, extravagant flowing gowns, flare in his collection of mini skirts using only the finest silks and tulle.  You see a more modern look however, where Dior has created a ‘new look’ of high strap open toe stilettos with satin and tulle socks underneath.  This would at first be seen as school like type however it is portrayed as sexy and chic.  The embroidery and embossing in velvet Coats very detailed and reflected well on the season.  Beautiful and outstanding magenta, purple and black gowns were the centre of the spring/summer 2010 collection showing that all important volume that sparked off Christian Dior’s career to start with.

Christian Dior’s designs have been at the front of fashion for over half a century and will continue to influence new designers for many years to come.