Christian Dior
Born 1905 · Age 120
French fashion designer; founder of the House of Dior; creator of the 1947 "New Look" that re-established Paris as the center of postwar fashion.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Granville, Normandy
Christian Ernest Dior born to Maurice (Maurice Alexandre Louis Dior) and Madeleine Martin Dior in Granville, France.
Family moves to Paris
Dior's family moved from Granville to Paris during his childhood (sources cite about age five; commonly dated to c.1910–1911).
Sells fashion sketches to make money
As a young man Dior sold fashion sketches outside his house for about 10 cents each (historical equivalent often cited; small early income source).
Enters political-science studies (Sciences Po)
Dior studied political science at the University of Paris / École des Sciences Politiques (Sciences Po); his family hoped he'd be a diplomat but he favored art.
Opens art gallery in Paris
With financial help from his father Dior opened a small art gallery (Rue Cambacérès), showing works by Picasso, Dalí, Man Ray and others.
Closes art gallery after family financial collapse
Dior closed the gallery following his mother's and brother's deaths and the family's financial troubles during the Great Depression.
Contracted tuberculosis
Dior contracted tuberculosis and underwent a lengthy recovery (about a year), which influenced his career trajectory toward fashion.
Begins selling illustrations to magazines and couturiers
Dior sold drawings to publications such as Le Figaro Illustré and to couturiers (e.g., Jean Patou, Nina Ricci, Balenciaga), launching his fashion career.
Robert Piguet discovers Dior's sketches
Dior's sketches were noticed by couturier Robert Piguet, leading to a formal working relationship and design opportunities.
Hired by Robert Piguet as designer
Dior was employed by Piguet and designed three collections for the house; his 'Café Anglais' day dress was especially praised.
Called up for military service (WWII)
Dior left Piguet after being called up for military service at the start of World War II (served in the engineering corps).
Designs for wartime clientele at Lelong
While at Lelong, Dior designed for wealthy clients, including wives of occupying officers/collaborators — a pragmatic choice to keep Paris couture alive during WWII.
Joins Lucien Lelong fashion house
After returning from military service, Dior worked for Lucien Lelong (c.1941–1946) as one of the primary designers alongside Pierre Balmain.
Sister Catherine liberated from Ravensbrück
Catherine Dior, a French Resistance member, was liberated from Ravensbrück concentration camp in May 1945; Dior later honored her with Miss Dior perfume.
Marcel Boussac approaches Dior with an offer
Industrialist Marcel Boussac invited Dior to design for Philippe et Gaston but Dior proposed founding a new house; he consulted clairvoyants before accepting.
Funding pledged by Marcel Boussac to launch Maison Dior
Boussac provided significant capital to launch Christian Dior's house. Sources report either 6,000,000 French francs (contemporary reports) or about $500,000 (WWD estimate) as startup funding.
Founds Maison Christian Dior (House of Dior)
Dior founded his eponymous couture house and took exclusive creative control; secured a share of profits (commonly cited as one-third) and established operations at Avenue Montaigne (28–30).
Launch of the 'Bar suit' and employment of Pierre Cardin
Pierre Cardin was head of the tailoring atelier for the first three years; he is credited with designing the popular 1947 Bar suit.
Releases Miss Dior perfume (tribute to sister)
Dior's debut fragrance, Miss Dior, was launched/named in tribute to his sister Catherine's resistance and liberation.
Wins Neiman Marcus Award and tours the U.S.
After the debut collection Dior won the Neiman Marcus 'fashion Oscar' (1947) and toured Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and New York promoting the New Look.
Debuts first collection 'Corolle' (the 'New Look')
On 12 February 1947 Dior presented his debut Corolle collection (90 garments). Carmel Snow coined the term 'New Look'. Designs featured rounded shoulders, cinched waist, full skirts.
Presents 'Envol' and 'Cyclone/Zig-Zag' lines
Seasonal collections continued: 1948's Envol and Zig-Zag (Cyclone) lines introduced new silhouettes and details.
Opens Dior shop on Fifth Avenue, New York
The House of Dior opened a boutique on Fifth Avenue as part of its early international expansion.
Introduces licensing deals for accessories and beauty
By 1948 Dior had started lucrative licensing deals for furs, stockings, perfumes and other accessories, expanding brand reach and income streams.
Presents 'Trompe l'Oeil' and 'Mid-Century' lines
Dior's 1949 collections (Trompe l'Oeil and Mid-Century) further expanded his seasonal themes and reinforced his influence.
Presents 'Vertical' and 'Oblique' lines; receives Legion of Honor
In 1950 Dior introduced the Vertical and Oblique lines and was awarded the French Legion of Honor for his contribution to fashion and textiles.
Formalizes licensing scheme
Around 1950 Dior formalized a licensing strategy placing his name on cosmetics, stockings, gloves and more — a pioneering commercial move in haute couture.
Presents 'Oval' and 'Longue/Princesse' lines
Dior's 1951 collections included the Oval line and the Longue/Princesse line (Princess line), showing stylistic evolution toward fitted, elongated silhouettes.
Staff growth to several hundred
By 1951 Dior's operation had expanded dramatically; sources report staff levels swelled (WWD cites ~900 staff around the early 1950s).
Presents 'Sinueuse' and 'Profilėe' lines
Dior's 1952 seasonal lines (Sinueuse and Profilee) emphasized fluidity, trompe-l'oeil techniques, and sculpted silhouettes.
Presents 'Tulipe' and 'Vivante/Cupola' lines; opens Caracas store
1953 saw the Tulip (Tulipe) and Cupola lines; Dior opened a store in Caracas and undertook international travel in South/Central America.
House financial milestone: ~$15M gross; 1,500 employees
By 1953 the House of Dior reportedly grossed about $15 million annually, employed ~1,500 people and accounted for ~55% of Paris couture exports (WWD report).
Presents 'Muguet/Lily of the Valley' and 'H-Line' collections
Dior introduced the Muguet (Lily of the Valley) line and the H-Line (flat, tapering silhouette) in 1954, continuing seasonal experimentation.
Yves Saint Laurent joins as design assistant (age 19)
In 1955 19-year-old Yves Saint Laurent became Dior's design assistant; Dior later indicated he intended Laurent as his successor.
Introduces A-Line and Y-Line
Dior's 1955 collections introduced his A-Line (triangular silhouette) and Y-Line, influencing later fashion directions.
Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design (Terminal Station)
Dior was nominated for the 1955 Academy Award for Best Costume Design (black & white) for the film Terminal Station (1953).
Publishes autobiography 'Christian Dior et moi'
Dior published his memoir Christian Dior et moi in 1956 (English translation 'Dior by Dior' in 1957).
Parsons School Distinguished Achievement Award
Dior received the Parsons School of Design Distinguished Achievement Award in 1956.
Presents Flèche/Arrow (F-Line) and Aimant/Magnet
Dior's 1956 seasonal lines included the Flèche/Arrow (F-Line) and the Aimant (Magnet) lines, demonstrating evolving silhouettes.
Presents Libre/Free and Fuseau/Spindle lines (final collections)
Dior's last collections (1947–1957 series culminated in 1957's Libre and Fuseau lines) moved toward looser, more fluid silhouettes presaging 1960s fashions.
Yves Saint Laurent becomes artistic director of Dior
After Dior's death Yves Saint Laurent was appointed head of the couture house (he held the position until his military drafting in 1960).
Featured on Time magazine cover
On 4 March 1957 Dior became the first fashion designer featured on the cover of Time magazine.
Dies of heart attack in Montecatini Terme, Italy
Dior suffered a fatal heart attack while on vacation (playing cards) in Montecatini Terme, Tuscany, Italy, and died on 24 October 1957.
Successor collections: Yves Saint Laurent's Trapeze line
In 1958, Yves Saint Laurent presented the Trapeze line, showing a clear direction change from Dior's decade of leadership.
Marc Bohan named creative director of Dior (legacy event)
Marc Bohan replaced Yves Saint Laurent as the house's creative director in 1960 (important legacy moment for the House of Dior after Dior's death).
Posthumous BAFTA nomination for Arabesque costumes
A 1967 BAFTA nomination credited to Dior (Best British Costume, Colour) for Arabesque (1966) is recorded in sources (posthumous attribution/recognition of his influence or archive involvement).
Posthumous César Awards nomination referencing Dior
For the 11th César Awards (1986) Christian Dior is cited/nominated for Best Costume Design for the 1985 film Bras de fer (posthumous recognition/archival credit).
Christian Dior Museum opens in Granville (legacy)
The Christian Dior museum opened in the designer's family home, Villa Les Rhumbs, in Granville — a major posthumous legacy milestone for Dior's heritage.
Key Achievement Ages
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