While on holiday in Montecatini, Italy, and at the age of only fifty-two, legendary French fashion designer Christian Dior died on this date in 1957.
A prolific creator of some of the world's finest haute couture, Dior's 1947 New Look restored allure and seduction to women's fashion and was influential in shaping fifties' fashions.
"We were emerging from the period of war, of uniforms, of women-soldiers built like boxers. I drew women-flowers, soft shoulders, fine waists, like liana, and wide skirts like corolla." Christian Dior
With respect to his genius and with thanks to The Metropolitan Museum, we offer these images that reflect how truly gifted he was.
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| House of Dior "May" Spring/Summer 1953 ©Metropolitan Museum Gift of Mrs. David Kluger "My dream? To make women happier and more beautiful." Christian Dior |
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| Miss Dior 1947 Baccarat Design Courtesy of Live Auctioneers "Long after one has forgotten what a woman has worn, the memory of her perfume lingers." Christian Dior |
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| House of Dior Spring/Summer 1955 ©Metropolitan Museum Gift of Christian Dior "Simplicity, good taste and grooming are three fundamentals of good dressing and these do not cost money." Christian Dior |
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| House of Dior 1950's French Silk Gloves ©Metropolitan Museum "Bright reds - scarlett, pillar box red, crimson, or cherry - are very cheerful and youthful. There is certainly a red for everyone." Christian Dior |
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| Miss Dior 1954 ©Metropolitan Museum Gift of Rosalind Jacobs "The less you can afford for your frocks, the more care you must take with your accessories." Christian Dior |
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| House of Dior "Chambord" Fall/Winter 1954-1955 ©Metropolitan Museum Gift of Mrs. Byron C. Foy "Deep in every heart slumbers a dream, and the couturier knows it: every woman is a princess." Christian Dior |
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| Christian Dior 1952 "Vilmiron" Gift of Mrs. Byron C. Foy ©Metropolitan Museum "Everything I know, see or hear, every part of my life is transformed into dresses. They are my daydreams, but they have passed from dreamland into the world of everyday items to wear." Christian Dior  ©Metropolitan Museum Gift of Mrs. Byron C. Foy "Colour is what gives jewels their worth. They light up and enhance the face. Nothing is more elegant than a black skirt and sweater worn with a sparkling multi-stoned necklace." Christian Dior |
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| Christian Dior 1950's Boa ©Metropolitan Museum Gift of Barbara I. Louis "Real women should be capricious." Christian Dior |
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| Christian Dior Vanity Case 1950's ©Metropolitan Museum Gift of Mrs. Ethel Kremer "I create so that each and every woman is the most beautiful." Christian Dior |
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| Yves Saint Laurent for House of Dior Late 1950's ©Metropolitan Museum "No fashion is ever a success unless it is used as a form of seduction." Christian Dior |
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| House of Dior by Marc Bohan Gift of Estate of Ann E. Woodward ©Metropolitan Museum |
"Real elegance is everywhere, especially in the things that don't show." Christian Dior
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| House of Dior 1950's Gift of The Family of Mrs. M Lincoln Schuster ©Metropolitan Museum
"After women, flowers are the most lovely thing God has given the world." Christian Dior
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| House of Dior "Diorama" Spring/Summer 1951 Gift of Mrs. Byron C. Foy 1953 ©Metropolitan Museum "You can wear black in any moment of the day, no matter your age. You can wear black with almost any occasion. A black dress is essential for every woman." Christian Dior |
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| House of Dior "Eventail" Fall/Winter 1956-1957 Cocktail Dress ©Metropolitan Museum "Midnight blue is the only colour that can ever compete with black." Christian Dior |
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| House of Dior Underdress Fall/Winter 1955-1956 ©Metropolitan Museum "Without proper foundations there can be no fashion." Christian Dior |
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| House of Dior by Roger Vivier 1957 Evening Boot ©Metropolitan Museum "There is never too much care when choosing a shoe. Many women consider themselves important but the real evidence of that is on their legs." Christian Dior
Although Dior the man is gone, his revolutionary concepts and designs continue to charm - just as they did in the fifties.
"By being natural and sincere, one often can create revolutions without having sought them." Christian Dior
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