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Christian Dior
In January of the year 1905, Christian Dior was born in a coastal town of Normandy, France. The second oldest of five siblings, Dior’s family included a father who was a wealthy fertilizer manufacturer. After moving his family to Paris when Christian was five, his father would take the family back to vacation in Normandy during the summers. The Dior Museum was erected years later to pay homage to the birthplace of this now-celebrated fashion designer.
Though Dior’s father tried to pressure him to pursue a political career, Dior was more interested in art. He pursued this fascination by selling his fashion sketches for 10 francs each out of the family home. But pressure from his father eventually caused him to enroll in the École des Sciences Politiques, where he studied political science. However, following his graduation in 1928, Dior opened a small art gallery with the help of his father, who gave Dior the money with the stipulation that the family name would be displayed above the gallery door. It was at this gallery where he and his colleague sold pieces by notable artists that included Pablo Picasso. But due to such tragic circumstances that included the Great Depression and the death of his parents and brother, Dior was forced to close the gallery in 1931.
Dior was hired as fashion designer Robert Piguet’s assistant in 1937. Of Piguet, Dior would later say that he taught Dior “the virtues of simplicity through which true elegance must come.” Among the designs, Dior made for Piguet was the Café Anglais, a short, full skirt that became an instant hit upon its release. However, by this time World War II had begun, and Dior left Piguet to enlist in the French army.
Once the war was over, Dior returned to Paris and opened his own fashion house in 1946 with the help of textile manufacturer Marcel Boussac. Dior presented his first collection in 1947, naming it “Corolle” after a botanical term for a circle of flower petals. But Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief Carmel Snow referred to it simply as Dior’s “New Look,” a name that stuck, and so the collection would ever after be referred to as the New Look collection. This collection contrasted the War-rationed designs of the times with a more womanly shape, resulting in a line of clothing that perfectly encompassed the design needs of the post-war woman: functional yet fashionable. The New Look collection was an uncontested success, and its creations continued to influence fashion designers for years to come. The collection also helped reestablish Paris as the world’s fashion center in the years following the War.
The Christian Dior name continues to hold a prominent place in fashion. Despite being best known for designing women’s ready-to-wear couture, the ever-present popularity of Dior handbags has gained new heights in the most recent years. Popular Christian Dior handbags include the Diorama, Saddle Bag and the classic Lady Dior (renamed for Princess Diana as she was known to carry the bag). Explore FASHIONPHILE’s collection of authentic, preowned Christian Dior handbags, totes, and wallets.
1,390 items
Christian Dior CHRISTIAN DIOR Bullcalf Small Diorissimo Tote Black Rose Indien
Condition: Shows Wear
$1,325
Christian Dior Micro PDP Cotton Houndstooth Embroidered Dway 10mm Slide Sandals 35.5 Cornflower
Condition: Excellent
$495
Christian Dior Calfskin Cannage Dioramour Caro Heart Pouch With Chain Old Rose
Condition: Excellent
$1,150
Christian Dior Canvas Embroidered Large Kaleidioroscopic Book Tote Multicolor
Condition: Excellent
$2,500
Christian Dior Embroidered Fringe Beaded Medium Saddle Bag Green Multicolor
Condition: Excellent
$2,595
Christian Dior Canvas Embroidered Large Toile De Jouy Book Tote White Black
Condition: Shows Wear
$1,895
Christian Dior Lambskin Mini Cannage Round Caro Crossbody Pouch Peach Blossom Pink
Condition: Excellent
$825
Christian Dior Canvas Mizza Embroidered Medium Leopard DiorTravel Nomad Pouch Beige
Condition: Excellent
$725
Christian Dior Canvas Stitched Flower Sequins Mini Saddle Pochette Black Red
Condition: Shows Wear
$1,550
Christian Dior Oblique Embroidered Granville 15mm Espadrilles 40.5 Deep Blue
Condition: Shows Wear
$450
Christian Dior Cotton Embroidered Leopard Print Granville Espadrille 37 Natural
Condition: Giftable
$595
Christian Dior Polyester Cotton Oblique Reversible Teddy-D Brim Bucket Hat 567 Black
Condition: Excellent
$450
Christian Dior Canvas Embroidered Medium Dioriviera Toile De Jouy Book Tote Raspberry
Condition: Excellent
$2,495
Christian Dior Smooth Calfskin Jacquard Oblique Mens B27 Low Top Sneakers 42 Black Blue
Condition: Shows Wear
$650
Christian Dior Canvas Embroidered Medium Camouflage Flowers Book Tote Black Multicolor
Condition: Excellent
$2,500
Christian Dior Snakeskin Sequin Embellished Medium Diorama Flap Bag Beige Multicolor
Condition: Shows Wear
$1,895
Christian Dior Technical Canvas Mesh Half Oblique Printed Mens B23 Low Top Sneakers 40 Black White
Condition: Excellent
$725
Christian Dior Canvas Embroidered Small Zodiac Toile De Jouy Book Tote Latte
Condition: Excellent
$2,995
Christian Dior Canvas Embroidered Medium Le Coeur Des Papillons Book Tote White Multicolor
Condition: Shows Wear
$2,495
Christian Dior Canvas Embroidered Medium Butterfly Print Book Tote Multicolor
Condition: Shows Wear
$2,775
Christian Dior Calfskin Patent Trailer Trash Cadillac Shoulder Bag Black Red
Condition: Shows Wear
$1,095
Christian Dior Canvas Embroidered Medium Plan De Paris Book Tote Black White
Condition: Excellent
$2,495
Christian Dior Canvas Zodiac Fantastico Embroidered Medium Book Tote Black Multicolor
Condition: Excellent
$3,295
Christian Dior Canvas Embroidered Large Jardin D'Hiver Book Tote Latte Multicolor
Condition: Shows Wear
$3,495
Christian Dior Canvas Embroidered Medium Plan De Paris Book Tote Beige Multi
Condition: Giftable
$3,095
Christian Dior Grained Calfskin 30 Montaigne East West Chain Flap Bag Brown
Condition: Excellent
$2,850
Christian Dior Canvas D-Jungle Pop Embroidered Dway Flat Slide Sandals 41 Bright Yellow Pink Multicolor
Condition: Excellent
$550