In early July 2020, Dior published a presentation video for its Winter 2020-2021 haute couture collection on YouTube. Gentle music carries us along riverbeds, deep into the forest and into the hollows of trees, where nymphs and naiads inhabit the Earth in a dreamlike world. They are naked and blissful, their nudity their finest adornment. Then elegant messengers from the House of Dior present them with dresses, which they choose to wear as they continue their lives as creatures of nature. Even nymphs, it seems, would rather wear Dior than remain unclothed.
The enchanting video highlights the exceptional craftsmanship of the House and the dream it has offered us since 1946. Here is a look back at the history of this remarkable haute couture house and the iconic bags behind its success.
The history of the House of Dior
The early twentieth century brought a revolution in fashion: women began freeing themselves from long corseted dresses and from clothing that constrained the body. Trousers became part of women’s wardrobes, shirts followed, and dresses grew more fluid.
The House of Dior became part of this modern movement while proposing a new vision of it. From its first collection in 1946, Dior celebrated the female silhouette, emphasizing women’s curves, defining the waist and highlighting the neckline. The identity of the House was built around this modernized, romantic and ultra-feminine vision.
Christian Dior, the founder of the House, was an artist whose life had always been closely linked to the arts. He first worked as a gallery owner, selling works by artists including Picasso. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, he entered the world of fashion: forced to close his gallery, he became a designer for Robert Piguet and later for Lucien Lelong, where he worked alongside Pierre Balmain.
At the end of the war, strengthened by his experience and driven by a desire to develop his own vision, Christian Dior founded his own couture house. His first collection, initially criticized, radically transformed fashion in France: the story of Dior had begun.
Thanks to the House of Dior, French haute couture continued to shine internationally. The Dior silhouette became the defining silhouette of the 1950s.
Christian Dior died in 1957, leaving the artistic direction to a very young Yves Saint Laurent. Other great designers followed: Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré - creator of the Lady Dior - John Galliano and Raf Simons. Since 2016, for the first time, the artistic direction has been led by a woman: Maria Grazia Chiuri.
She has brought a feminist tone to her collections - for example, the Spring/Summer 2017 show and its “We should all be feminists” T-shirt. In 2018, she relaunched John Galliano’s Saddle bag, which became a phenomenal success.
Today, the House of Dior offers a broad bag collection that includes several iconic designs. Here is an overview.
Iconic bags
The Lady
The most iconic Dior bag is the Lady. It became the royal accessory of Princess Diana, who adopted it in 1995. The bag was renamed Lady Dior in her honor.
Its straight lines, Cannage quilting and short handles have made it a symbol of elegance. It is regularly reinterpreted through new colors, materials and modern versions such as the Lady D-Lite.
The Saddle
Created by John Galliano in 1999, the Saddle became an emblem of the 2000s thanks to its equestrian shape and short handle.
Since 2018, it has made a spectacular comeback. Some versions are even seen as bags worth investing in without hesitation. The updated design includes a detachable, adjustable strap, giving the icon a fresh new dimension.
The Lady's successors
Since the 2010s, Dior has created several sophisticated models inspired by the Lady, including the Be Dior and the Diorever, both defined by clean, elegant lines.
Among the crossbody models are the Dioraddict, Dioarama and 30 Montaigne. Modern, precious and often finished with chains, they strike a perfect balance between femininity and contemporary style.
Miss Dior
Originally the name of a fragrance dedicated to Catherine Dior - the designer’s sister and a member of the French Resistance - Miss Dior gradually became an entire universe. Since 2011, Miss Dior has also been the name of an iconic bag, combining Cannage quilting, a metal chain and an elegant rock-inspired attitude.
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