Vogue over Christian Dior

Vogue on Designers

by Charlotte Sinclair

In 1947, Christian Dior stunned the fashion world with his first collection, the “New Look,” which transformed the way women dressed, and he continued to send shock waves with his later shows, significantly altering the fashion landscape. Vogue on Christian Dior tells the story of Dior’s searchfor the perfect line and how his unique style and vision of women’s ideal silhouette developed. One of the most famous designers of the 20th century, his name still fronts one of the most successful haute couture fashion houses. Vogue on Christian Dior is a volume from the series created by the editors of British Vogue. It features 20,000 words of original biography and history and is studded with 80 color and black-and-white images from their unique archive of photos taken by the leading photographers of the day, including Cecil Beaton, Horst P. Horst, Irving Penn, and Richard Avedon.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Art, Photography

Hardcover

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Jelena Nemet · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Happiness is the secret to all beauty; there is no beauty that is attractive without happiness.”
― Christian Dior

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian Dior

He became the biggest designer after WWII by emphasizing femininity, the wealthy and clothes for nighttime 🌙 functions. Women's dresses became longer, corsets went underneath clothes, etc. Films and fashion photography made it popular. The film, How To Marry A Millionaire really sent Dior's popularity soaring.

[Ivana · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit dull.

[maddie ʚ♡ɞ · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was surprisingly interesting! I didn't know much about Christian Dior and this does a good job of discussing his life, his work post-WWII as culturally important, and some of the feminist critiques of what he did in fashion. Overall, it was a quick, interesting read with lots of gorgeous photos.

[Kian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why does the book start off by making fun of his appearance and comparing his face to several forms of pastries????!! It seems like a mean way to start. Everything was surface level and the pictures were okay, but it was a good introduction to Dior. I don’t think this mentioned the fact he was gay?

[Sarah Wennerlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a quick, surface (and I truly don't mean that in a bad way) overview of Christian Dior's career and the fashion house's place in popular culture, accompanied by gorgeous photographs, this book is for you!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The maintenance of the tradition of fashion is in the nature of an act of faith,” he wrote. “In a century which attempts to tear the heart out of every mystery, fashion guards its secret well.” Couture ever was, “the best possible proof that there is magic abroad.””

[Céline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book.

[Jiangxiaojienana]

From Classics to Modern

[Ana Grau · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to get in touch with Dior and have a visual understanding of its work and style.

[Charlotte Stevenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great life story - very informative but dull in places

[Shrilaxmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent and concise write up - more pictures would have really made the book a triumph.

[Bel ★ tortured poet. · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★☆
4/5

[Manny Villa]

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[M]

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[beep beep · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summary about the growth of Dior as a company while also showcasing stunning photography of final outcomes, sketches of designs and insights into his life and business

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un buon libro su un maestro della moda.
Meravigliosi i racconti di chi c’era e le foto.
Un sogno indossarne uno!

[Ivan Retama · Rating 2 out of 5]

This Dior guy don’t know shit about fashion

[Mads · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was fine! very informative, but not particularly engaging. beautiful photography, though

[Marika ₊˚⊹⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite designer ever, loved the book

[Ruby Gallop · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book it was very informative with some stunning visuals

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following Dior's rise to prominence from his debut collection through his early death and drawing heavily from the contemporary Vogue issues of the time, this book provides a balanced look at Dior's style and design. I found the balance between the contemporary commentary combined with the modern hindsight to be especially compelling as a way to understand the wide-reaching impact of Dior's work.

[Eleni Austen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explores the evolution of Christian Dior's empire, featuring Vogue's media coverage over the years. It offers a glimpse behind the curtain into the exclusive and oh-so-glamourous world of haute couture. I loved learning about this iconic couturier, the process behind his collections, and his cultural impact on women's fashion, both then and now. If only I could go on a Dior shopping spree!

[Evilincarknit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring photos and interesting details about the privileged man who started his career at age 41. Something for designers and seamstresses to look at again and again - more than just a pretty coffee table book.

[Deasy B]

This is the first time I've read any kind of biographical book related to fashion. I thought the book was told in an interesting narrative, and the photographs that accompanied the pages to be mesmerizing.

[Aja · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good, concise biography about the rise of the house of Dior. There was so much I didn't know and the illustrations only add to the story.

[Nix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maximum elegance with minimum fuss