Book: Dior in Bloom

A constant source of creative inspiration for Christian Dior, his passion for flowers and gardens lies at the heart of his entire body of work. The designer considered the fragrance of a perfume to be an open door to a hidden world. His first perfume, Miss Dior, was inspired by childhood memories of lush gardens in Normandy, which inextricably linked his careers as a couturier and perfumer. Other fragrances were imagined from evenings spent in his jasmine-infused retreat in the South of France, illuminated by fireflies. Throughout his life, Christian Dior conceived his gardens as green havens and sanctuaries for his creativity. Some are still imbued with his spirit today. Flowers and gardens were also essential to his career as a designer, from the femme-fleurs (flower women) that inspired the New Look of the late 1940s and 1950s, to a lifetime of sophisticated evening gowns embroidered with luxurious floral motifs. Modern reinterpretations of floral inspirations have remained pivotal to the designs of Dior's successors, including Yves Saint Laurent, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano and Raf Simons. Exploring the designer's ongoing dialogue with nature, this elegant publication features a series of original essays by fashion historians, writers and a landscape architect. Also included are interviews with creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri, François Demachy, Victoire de Castellane, Kim Jones and Peter Philips, who share how Christian Dior's love of flowers has influenced their artistic vision. A selection of rose portraits by Nick Knight, exclusive archival documents featuring Christian Dior and his gardens, design sketches, perfumes and photographs displaying exquisite details of embroidery and fabrics, tell a fresh and captivating story of the House of Dior.

NICK KNIGHT, a visionary and influential photographer, is known for his extensive contribution to Vogue magazine and his advertising campaigns for fashion houses. He has produced some of the most beautiful images of flowers in contemporary art.

JUSTINE PICARDIE, renowned novelist, fashion editor and biographer, is a former editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar and Town & Country.

NAOMI SACHS, landscape architect, has published extensively on the positive role nature plays in our health and well-being, and has presented on the subject at conferences around the world.

JÉRÔME HANOVER is a journalist specializing in fashion and luxury. He is a regular contributor to Vogue Paris and Le Figaro.

ALAIN STELLA has written numerous books, including Jacques Garcia: Vingt ans de passion, le château du Champ de Bataille (Jacques Garcia: Twenty Years of Passion: Chateau du Champ de Bataille), Demeures historiques de Paris (Historic Houses of Paris) and L'Esprit des vignobles (The Spirit of Iconic French Vineyards), all editions published by Flammarion.