dior
1946
Paris, France
Christian Dior
Sidney Toledano
Maria Grazia Chiuri has been women’s artistic director since 2016. Kim Jones has been men’s artistic director since 2018.
The Dior headquarters are located at 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris, France.
Christian Dior, more commonly known as Dior, is a luxury goods company famed for revolutionizing the women’s fashion industry. The brand has been cited as the catalyst for Paris’ revival as the fashion capital of the world after it fell from its prominent position after WWII.
The New Look, with its full-skirted silhouette, brought a fresh face to the masculine uniforms of wartime and has influenced everyone from Miuccia Prada to Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood.
House of Dior is established as a private house at 30 Avenue Montaigne, Paris.
Businessman Marcel Boussac integrates the new couture house into a textile business he already operates.
Dior launches his first spring/summer collection. The original lines, titled Corolle and Huit, soon garnered the name the New Look and sparked a revolution in the fashion world. Its full-skirted silhouette collection gained Dior prominent clients from across the world.
Pierre Cardin is named head of the Dior workshop.
Christian Dior Parfums launch with fragrance Miss Dior.
The first Christian Dior Parfums branch opens in New York.
Dior opens a luxury read-to-wear house in New York on Fifth Avenue. Diorama fragrance is launched.
The brand launches a new strategy, which includes making the name Christian Dior visible on luxury items like ties, furs, handbags and accessories.
A new range of Christian Dior shoes is launched with designer Roger Vivier.
The first Dior boutique is established in London.
A Dior fashion show is held at Blenheim Palace in honor of Princess Margaret and the Duchess of Marlborough.
A new flagship store opens between Avenue Montaigne and Rue François ler.
The first Dior lipstick launches.
Yves Saint Laurent, aged 19, becomes Dior’s first and only-ever assistant.
Christian Dior appears on the cover of TIME.
Christian Dior dies from a heart attack.
Yves Saint Laurent is appointed as artistic director for the fashion house.
Saint Laurent leaves after being called for military service. He is succeeded by Marc Bohan.
Diorling fragrance is released.
Eau Sauvage scent is launched.
Bohan’s assistant, Philippe Guibourgé launches Dior’s first ready-to-wear collection named Miss Dior.
The first Baby Dior store opens at 28 Avenue Montaigne.
Christian Dior Cosmetics is created and an exclusive line is launched.
Dior perfume company is sold to luxury goods provider Moët Hennessy.
Dior Homme is launched.
The first Dior watch is released, titled Black Moon.
Perfume Poison is released.
Gianfranco Ferré replaces Marc Bohan as Head of Design. He heads up the Haute Couture, Fashion Furs, Women’s Ready-to-Wear, Ready-to-Wear and the Women’s Collection collections. He is the first non-French designer to head up the house.
Christian Dior Couture is launched as a subsidiary of the brand – by now the brand is part of major luxury goods conglomerate LVMH.
John Galliano is appointed the new Director of Design.
J’adore perfume is released. Dior debut the saddle bag at the Spring-Summer 2000 ready-to-wear show.
Patrick Lavoix is replaced by Hedi Slimane as lead designer for Dior Homme.
Dior launches men’s fragrance “Higher.” Hedi Slimane becomes the new designer of the Homme line.
Dior launches perfume “Addict.”
Dior opens the first Dior Homme boutique in Milan.
Dior opens a flagship boutique in Tokyo.
Fragrances “Miss Dior Chérie” and “Dior Homme” are launched.
An exhibition celebrating the 100th birthday of Dior is held in the Dior Museum in Granville, Normandy.
The 60th anniversary of the House of Dior is celebrated.
Kris Van Assche is appointed artistic director of Dior Homme.
Dior dismisses John Galliano over antisemitic incidents that catch the attention of the tabloid press.
Dior purchases Parisian embroidery firm Maison Vermont.
Dior appoints Raf Simons as artistic director of the Haute Couture, Ready-to-Wear and Accessories for Women collections.
Dior names Rihanna as official spokeswoman – making her the first black woman to hold the position.
Dior names Israeli model Sofia Mechetner as the new face of Dior.
Raf Simons announces a surprise departure from House of Dior.
Maria Grazia Chiuri is named women’s artistic director.
Dior opens a new flagship boutique in San Francisco.
Dior renovates its Madrid store. It launches the new boutique with a masked ball.
Kim Jones is named men’s artistic director.
