Hi Everyone,
This is a special post for anyone who missed out on seeing the wonderful Dior exhibition in Paris. Celebrating the 70th birthday of the Dior house.
The most amazing fashion exhibition I have ever seen. Unfortunately only with iPhone in hand but still with a few images that give you a small impression of this fabulous show and couture house.
Keep reading to find out 10 things you didn’t know about Christian Dior.
10 Things you didn’t know about Christian Dior!
1. A beginning far removed from Fashion
Despite always having an interest in the arts Christian Diors Father did not aprove of this as a profession and so he began by studying political sciences.
2. Starting with an Art gallery
Finally his Father gave in and he was able to open his own art gallery in 1928. However one year later his Mother died and the family lost their money in the financial crisis. Due to the after effects in 1934 Dior was forced to close the gallery.
3. A new beginning at the age of 30
It was later in 1935, at the age of 30 that Dior learned fashion drawing. Starting as a fashion illustrator.
4. Women saved his life
At the age of 14 a palm reader predicted he would be penniless but women will be good to you and it is thanks to them you will succeed. This extraordinary prediction came true in 1947 as Christian Dior became the world’s best known couturier. By 1955 Dior accounted for over 50% of French haute couture exports.
5. Flowers in every collection
Dior grew up in the family home in Granville. His Mother, whom he adored, created a wonderful garden of flowers there. As a boy Dior would bury himself into gardening catalogues.His knowledge and passion of flora stayed with him throughout his career.
6. Yves Saint Laurent started his career at Dior
After Dior sadly died in 1957 (52 years old), Yves Saint Laurent became director. He saved the house from financial ruin and was then later fired in 1960. The stress caused him to spend a terrible time in hospital after which he sued the Dior house for his dismissal and won the case.
7. Christian Dior was very superstitious.
A trait that only increased over time. Each fashion show at least one model would be instructed to carry a bouquet of white lilies and he always consulted a Tarrot card reader.
8. Dior and the war
During World War 2 Dior dressed the German Nazi Officers Wives. He was also criticised for using too much fabric in his garment at the time.
9. The first to license his name
In 1949, Christian Dior was the first designer to license his name to a range of luxury accessories like ties, furs, hosiery and handbags. He was criticised for this as it was supposed to cheapen haute couture. However it was such a profitable move for the brand that soon after all fashion houses followed suit.
10. Mysterious end
No one really knows his cause of death in 1957 at the age of 52. Officially it is said to have been a heart attack, however, many think it was due to the designer choking on a fishbone, or an adrenaline rush whilst playing a game of cards.
Please do leave comments of any other interesting facts about Dior!
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The comment section is at the end of the post, I love reading all your comments and would love to read what you think of this collection!
In memory of Christian Dior!
Such a great post Yvonne and you’re right, I didn’t know most of this about how Dior was started. So interesting about the palm reading too, how cool and what a prediction! 🙂 Hope you’re doing well and loving all your posts!
xoDale
Thanks so much Dale! So glad you enjoyed it…sort of felt I could keep going for ages with so many facts. It truly was the most amazing exhibition I have ever been to.
Hope you are doing well and wish you a fabulous 2018!
xo Yvonne
it was certainly one of the most exiting shows I ever saw and the Dresses where really mind blowing so nice and elegant.
Very interesting facts ,Yvonne that I did not know .
I watched a documentary on Netflix last year , Dior and I and found it very interesting…He really was a genius at dressing women.
I found a little white shirt many years ago in a thrift store , it was Dior . My son wore it at his First Holy Communion .the Dior name embroidered on the chest pocket .
I still have the shirt .
Great post , as always xx😘✨🌹
Such an interesting post! I love my Dior party dress, but had no idea about the tarot!! Fascinating!
Your Dior party dress sounds fabulous. Thanks for your feedback and have a fab week!
xxx
Interesting read & informative, your 10 points.
Nicely written and sensitive.
I enjoyed reading it. Many thanks, Marie (NZ).
Thanks Marie, so glad you enjoyed it. So lovely to hear from you too – we def have to catch up next time I am in NZ xxx