Book: Christian Dior – Designer of Dreams

Christian Dior presented his first fashion show in 1947, marking the end of wartime austerity and the birth of a new feminine silhouette. Featuring a cinched waist, full skirt and soft shoulders, this silhouette was inspired by the so-called femmes fleurs who embodied quintessential Parisian luxury. The New Look repositioned Paris as the fashion capital and made the Dior name synonymous with haute couture. This book details a selection of 70 silhouettes created by Christian Dior and his successors — Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri. Specially photographed for this book, these garments are accompanied by texts contextualizing them, sketches, photographs of fashion shows and the work of the greatest fashion photographers, including Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, Cecil Beaton, Helmut Newton, Patrick Demarchelier, Peter Lindbergh, Mario Testino and Nick Knight. The texts highlight the defining themes of the House's history: lines, architecture, links to history and art, color, gardens and other inspiration, as well as the brand's muses and celebrated clients (Marlene Dietrich, Grace of Monaco, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Lady Diana, Charlize Theron, Natalie Portman, Jennifer Lawrence, etc.).