A time line of establishiong Dior's women line

The brief introduction of Christian Dior (Women's Line):

Christian Dior

1946 After World War II ends, Dior persuades the industrialist Marcel Boussac to back him in the opening of his own couture house to be managed by the civil servant Jacques Rouët.

The "New Look"

1947 On 12 February Dior presents his debut couture collection, which is an instant success dubbed the ‘New Look’ for its voluptuous silhouette and luxurious fabrics. Launch of the first Dior perfume, Miss Dior.

1948 Dior and Rouët open a ready-to-wear boutique in New York and, over the next few years, launch new perfumes and negotiate the licensing rights for Christian Dior hosiery, ties and other products.

1950 Designs a dress for Marlene Dietrich in Alfred Hitchcock’s Stage Fright and, the following year, a suit for Dietrich in No Highway in the Sky.

The new H line

1954 After years of variations on the New Look, Dior unveils his new direction, the French Bean Line or Flat Look.1955 Yves Mathieu-Saint-Laurent joins Dior as a design assistant. The Grande Boutique opens on Avenue Montaigne and Dior launches a cosmetics range.

Yves Saint Laurent and he's design

1957 Christian Dior dies of a heart attack after choking on a fishbone while on a rest cure at a spa in Montecatini, Italy. Dior’s funeral in Paris is attended by more than 2,500 people. Yves Saint Laurent is named as Dior’s successor and unveils his first collection in January 1958.

"L'Eléphant Blanc", Dress, Evening, spring/summer 1958

1958 The first Christian Dior Haute Couture

trapeze dress form Dior

1958 Spring/Summer collection, featuring the A-line, designed by Yves Saint Lauren, is presented in Paris on January30.

Marc Bohan

1960 Yves Saint Laurent is called up for the military service.Marc Bohan succeeds him as artistic director of the Christian Dior Fashion House.

The Slim Look designed by Marc Bohan

1964 Marc Bohan designs costumes for the theater, notably for Annie Girardot in Arthur Miller's After the Fall and for Marie Bell in Felicien Marceau's Madame Princesse

1967 Marc Bohan designs the coronation dresses for Farah Eiba, empress of Iran, as well as those for all her ladies-in-waiting Phillippe Cuibourge designs Dior's first Women's Ready-to-Wear collection,.1978 The Willot Group buys the Christian Dior company.

1984 Bernard Arnault, the head of an investment group, assumes control of the Willot Group.
1985 Bernard Arnault becomes chairman and managing director of the Christian Dior company.

1987 The 40th anniversary of Christian Dior Fashion HouseGianfranco Ferre

1989 Gianfranco Ferre succeeds Marc Bohan as design director for the Haute Couture, Haute Fourrure, Women's Ready-to-Wear, Ready to Wear Fur, and Women's Accessories collection.
1990 Christian Dior boutiques open in New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo.

1993 A Christian Dior Hong Kong subsidiary is created.

John Galliano

1996 John Galliano is appointed to succeed Gianfranco Ferre as artistic director of the Christian Dior Women's collections.Ladt Diana, Princess of Wales, wears the first dress designed by John Galliano for Christian Dior.
1997 John Galliano shows his first Women's Ready-to-Wear collection for Fall/Winter 1997-19981999 The new Saddle bag, designed by John Galliano for the Spring/Summer 2000 Women's collection, is presented.Resources:"Dior 60 years of style From Christian Dior to John Galliano" by Farid Chenoune and Laziz Hamani