Christian Dior, commonly known as Dior, is a French luxury goods company controlled and chaired by Bernard Arnault, a French businessman.
He heads LVMH, the world’s largest luxury group, and made headlines when promising €200 million ($226 million) to help rebuild Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral.
Kate Moss appears in an advertising campaign for Dior in central London (Credit: Z.Tomaszewski / WENN)
The brand is named after its founder, Christian Dior, who established the fashion house in 1946 with backing from Marcel Boussac, a successful entrepreneur and the wealthiest man in France at the time.
What Is Dior Most Known For?
When Christian Dior’s first collection was released in February 1947, Harper’s Bazaar’s then Editor-in-Chief, Carmel Snow, told Dior, “It’s quite a revolution, dear Christian! Your dresses have such a new look!”.
The phrase “new look” would come to define the fashion house, which focused on creating new silhouettes for women, characterized by short skirts, tighter waists, and an emphasis on accentuating the torso.
Christian Dior’s clothing was designed to complement a woman’s curves. He blended old and new with innovative designs and revived older practices, such as lining fabrics like taffeta.
The brand became an instant success, with Christian Dior earning a client list that included all the 1950s jet-set scenes.
A familiar name crops up in the early years of Christian Dior. After the founder died in 1957, Yves Saint Laurent took over as Creative Director, continuing his work but focusing on softer, feminine designs.
Yves Saint Laurent is introduced at a press conference at the Christian Dior salon in 1957 (Credit: WENN / ITN)
In the late 60s, they replaced Saint Laurent with Marc Bohan – the man responsible for creating the vision of Dior that we have today.
He created Dior’s first ready-to-wear collection, naming it ‘Miss Dior,’ a phrase that has reappeared on everything from bags to perfumes.
In 1989, Gianfranco Ferre took over as Head Designer, ushering in an era of modernization within the brand while staying true to the refinement of the ‘new look.’
Italian fashion designer Gianfranco Ferré and Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor DBE attend the amfAR Gala Cannes in 1999 (Credit: WENN / KCS)
By the start of the 1990s, Christian Dior had become an internationally recognized luxury brand.
The focus shifted to Christian Dior’s bags in 1995 when Princess Diana, the most photographed woman in the world, was gifted a bag by Bernadette Chirac.
They nicknamed the bag ‘the Chouchou’ before it appeared on the arm of the British royal. After being photographed with the bag twice within several weeks, Dior asked for Diana’s blessing to rename it the ‘Lady Dior.’
This bag is now the most iconic style in the brand’s catalog, rivaling Chanel’s 2.55 bag. Since the 90s, Christian Dior has had several notable leadership appointments.
John Galliano’s aesthetic combined romanticism and modernism to create contemporary pieces that maintain the feel of the founder’s original designs.
John Charles Galliano was the head designer of Christian Dior from October 1996 to March 2011 (Credit: Z. Tomaszewski / WENN)
His Spring/Summer 2000 collection included the infamous Dior Saddle bag.
In 2012, Raf Simons became Artistic Director at Dior, ushering in an era of minimalist and chic designs known as “the new couture” within the house.
For the brand’s more modern take on femininity, you can thank Maria Grazia Chiuri. Her first collection – Spring/Summer 2017 – offered a fresh perspective on the concept of womanhood. Maria shifted Dior’s views on women from the 1950s to embracing the modern woman.
Photographed with Charlize Theron, Maria Grazia Chiuri was appointed the creative director of Dior in July 2016 (Credit: Instar / WENN)
Her collections have infamously included the “we should all be feminists” t-shirt and the J’Adior bags.
Kim Jones was appointed Artistic Director of Dior Men in March 2018, replacing Kris Van Assche. He is the first British designer to hold this position. Jones is known for his modern and innovative designs, which often blend streetwear and luxury fashion. He has also collaborated with several brands, including Nike, Supreme, and Louis Vuitton.
Fashion designer Kim Jones and iconic model Kate Moss were in attendance at The 2023 Met Gala, which celebrated “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2023, in New York City (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
Jones’s appointment at Dior was seen as a sign of the brand’s desire to appeal to younger consumers. He has since reinvigorated the menswear line with his fresh and exciting designs. Critics have praised Jones’ collections for Dior for their modernity, sophistication, and attention to detail.
Stepping Out in Style: Celebrities Who Love Dior
Dior continues to captivate the fashion world, with numerous celebrities showcasing the brand’s timeless elegance and innovative designs. Here are some standout moments featuring Dior:
Jisoo’s All-Black Dior Ensemble at the Haute Couture Show
- Event: Dior Haute Couture Show
- Outfit: Blackpink’s Jisoo, Dior’s fashion and beauty ambassador since 2021, graced the front row in a modern and elegant all-black Dior Pre-Fall 2025 ensemble.
- Details: Her look paid homage to the French fashion house while highlighting her unique flair, blending edgy sophistication with a touch of coquette chic.
- Read more: Anya Taylor-Joy, Jenna Ortega, and Jisoo Lead the Front Row at Dior Haute Couture 2025
Jennifer Lawrence Embraces Mob Chic at Dior Cruise 2025
- Event: Dior Cruise 2025 Show
- Outfit: Jennifer Lawrence showcased a rich mom aesthetic in a leopard-print coat from Dior’s Pre-Fall 2024 collection, paired with a white ribbed Dior tank top and high-waisted denim jeans.
- Accessories: She completed her look with a classic black quilted Lady Dior top-handle bag featuring gold hardware, embodying understated luxury.
- Discover more: Jennifer Lawrence’s Mob Chic Style and Stunning Dior Shoes at Dior Cruise 2025
Lady Gaga’s Dramatic Entrance in Custom Dior at Venice Film Festival
- Event: 81st Venice Film Festival
- Outfit: Lady Gaga commanded attention in a voluminous black Dior gown featuring a velvet plunging halter neckline and a dramatic pick-up skirt with extravagant pleating.
- Accessories: She paired the gown with a Philip Treacy Fall 2001 “The Lace Wing” hat, adding her signature unconventional style to the glamorous ensemble.
- See her look: Lady Gaga Stuns in Custom Dior at Venice Film Festival for Joker: Folie à Deux
Jennifer Lopez’s Royal-Inspired Dior Look in London
- Event: Unstoppable London Premiere
- Outfit: Jennifer Lopez channeled British royal elegance in a white Dior double-breasted coat worn as a dress, complemented by a black knit turtleneck sweater.
- Accessories: She enhanced her European-inspired look with Dior’s D-Bobby large-brim fedora hat and carried the iconic black Medium Lady Dior bag.
- Explore her style: Jennifer Lopez Shines in London With Dior & Magda Butrym
Natalie Portman’s Daring Dior Mini Dress at ‘Lady in the Lake’ Premiere
- Event: ‘Lady in the Lake’ New York Premiere
- Outfit: Natalie Portman stunned in a strapless black Dior mini dress from the Resort 2025 collection, featuring a mesh overlay and a sleek black leather belt.
- Footwear: She completed her monochrome look with black suede Jimmy Choo Minny sandals, adding a touch of sophistication.
- See more: Natalie Portman Stuns in Dior and Oscar de la Renta at ‘Lady in the Lake’ Premiere
These moments highlight Dior’s enduring appeal among celebrities, offering designs that range from bold statements to elegant classics.