1947
Christian Dior showed his first collection in February 1947, which came to be known as the New Look.
“In February 1947, he shows his first collection. And it's just incredible.”
Topic
Christian Dior
13 facts from 3 episodes, in date order. These are what speakers said on the shows, each linked to the moment it was said. They aren't independently verified.
1949
By 1949 Dior fashions accounted for 75% of Paris's fashion exports and 5% of France's total export revenue.
“by 1949, Dior fashions were literally 75% of Paris's fashion exports and 5% of the entire nation's export revenue.”
1950s
In the decade before his death, Christian Dior's house sold over 100,000 dresses made from 16,000 design sketches and a thousand miles of fabric.
“During this decade, Dior sold over 100,000 dresses, made from 16,000 design sketches and using one thousand miles of fabric.”
1957
After Christian Dior died in 1957, the company kept the Dior brand and promoted 21-year-old Yves Saint Laurent to artistic director.
“they make the incredibly bold decision to keep the Dior brand, business, label, and promote this kid, Saint Laurent, to artistic director at age 21.”
1957
Christian Dior died in 1957, by which time his house employed about one thousand experts.
“up to Dior's death in 1957, by which time the house employed one thousand of the finest experts ever gathered together under one roof.”
1988
Selling part of Dior Couture to private investors brought Arnault 3.3 billion francs to buy more LVMH shares.
“this brought Bernard 3.3 billion francs money he's going to use to buy more shares of LVMH”
Undated
Dior had a patchwork of 260 licenses worldwide that were hard to manage and hurt its image.
“It was impossible to manage the patchwork of 260 licenses worldwide.”
Undated
Christian Dior's father ran a fertilizer factory that specialized in liquid manure.
“Dior's father was a successful businessman who ran a fertilizer factory. His dad specialized in producing liquid manure.”
Undated
Christian Dior's family suffered several blows, including his father's bankruptcy during the Depression, and his art gallery failed.
“His brother was locked up in an insane asylum, his mother died, and during the depression, his father went bankrupt. And at the same time, Dior's art gallery failed.”
Undated
Marcel Boussac backed Christian Dior with 10 million francs, later increased to 100 million francs.
“Boussac liked the idea and offered to set Dior up immediately with an investment of 10 million francs, and this was later increased to 100 million francs.”
Undated
Christian Dior's New Look deliberately returned to extravagant use of fabric after wartime austerity.
“Dior doubled the risk of opening a new house with his revolutionary quote unquote new look, a deliberate and defiant return to the most extravagant use of material.”
Undated
According to the book the host cites, Christian Dior was not jealous of Balenciaga's superior skill and revered him.
“Dior was never jealous of Balenciaga's superior skills. He recognized them and revered the man who possessed them.”
Undated
Dior changed styles twice a year, while Balenciaga stayed fundamentally consistent, especially in evening dresses.
“While Dior made changes twice a year, Balenciaga was always fundamentally the same, especially in his splendid evening dresses, which were his specialty.”
Episodes