Every now and then people get together to support a cause and revolutionise the world. Now with revolution comes to mind the heroic wars and protests that have marked our history books and have reminded us to fight for the good. But the question now is that does revolution only mean wars? Well, let me answer that for you. Revolution can happen in many forms and many industries.
One such revolution came in the fashion industry right after the Work War ll. February 12, 1947 was the day that marked this revolution in the world of fashion when a young French couturier Christian Dior debuted with his very first haute couture collection in Paris. The new born legend bought back fashion from the 20’s and 30’s which was immediately dubbed as the “new look”. The collection featured rounded shoulders, cinched waists and full A-line skirts.
The collection was an instant success and therefore was quickly adapted by the couture clientele and the middle class followed.
The era of World War ll came with utilitarian and bestiary austerity, there was absolutely nothing that felt newer and fresher than the vision of Christian Dior. His debut collection went back in time rather than forward because it intended to bring out the fierce femininity among women which was achieved by tight fitting jackets with padded hips, petite waists and of course the A-line skirt. Dior did not want create routine clothes for pragmatic women in the modern century but rather just sell the idea and the dream of the good old days when women could afford to be extravagant and glamorous. “The new look” was a bridge-way path to the rediscovery of wealth and prosperity.
After the success of “the new look” there was no looking back for Dior and he managed to stay ahead of the game year after year. In 1948, his fall collection focused on neckline and embroideries. In 1949 , Dior took reviving lavish and glamorous fashion that prevailed in the 19th century.He rocked his fall collection which was inspired by Roman Mythology for which he embellished dresses with ombreéd petals, sequins, rhinestones and pearls. His “Junon” dress is still being copied by a number of dressmakers to this day. His famous “Tulip Line” was inspired from his love for gardening which lead him to his collection of 1953 which flaunted monochromatic looks with voluptuous dimensions.
On March 4, 1957 , Christian Dior had become the first couturier to appear on the cover of “Time Magazine”. Within a span of just 10 years,Dior had become a leading fashion authority and after his very sudden death the same year,his first assistant the young Said Yves Laurent was named his successor and even though Yves did not stay for long,he did inject the label with the spirit of the young and hence allowed the brand a very smooth transition to the sixties.
With the advent of the 21st century , the new look reigned once again on the runway with Them Browne , Miuccia Prada and J.W Anderson who followed and updated Dior’s signature style.