DIOR COUTURE by Patrick Demarchelier

The soon to be released, DIOR COUTURE will make a lovely gift for this holiday season. This book is a portfolio of over one hundred iconic gowns for the entire era of Christian Dior haute couture, including dresses designed by Dior himself and those of his successors, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, and John Galliano.

Each of these divine portraits were shot by legendary French fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier whose work is regularly featured in leading magazines including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Vanity Fair, and many others. Demarchelier was also the official photographer of Princess Diana of Wales, the first non-Briton to become an official photographer for the Royal Family.
Shot in various places, a movie studio in Beijing, Times Square in New York and, in Paris, in settings including a private chateau, the Opera Garnier, avenue Montaigne, and at the Hotel Plaza Athenee, the stunning gowns - vintage and contemporary - were taken on models including Natalia Vodianova, Gisele Bundchen, Karlie Kloss, actress Charlize Theron, and many others.

Founded in Paris by designer Christian Dior in 1946, the House of Dior is one of the most revered names in fashion, and his the archetype of Parisian couture. With splendid images accompanied by thoughtful text by former editor-in-chief of Interview magazine, and a special foreword by American artist Jeff Koons, DIOR COUTURE immortalizes one of the most important and long-lived couture houses in the world and is a book that anyone with an interest in fashion will want for their library.

DIOR COUTURE is published by Rizzoli New York
Release date: December 2011

Dior Couture by Patrick Demarchelier, the making

Courtesy Rizzoli New York
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Inspiration Dior, Fashion as Art

On February 12, 1947, Christian Dior presented his first collection on Avenue Montaigne. The revolution is underway and the new look is born. Unknown until that moment, the genius designer, who revered the French way of life entered a triumphant decade, providing women with a sublime look.

In this major exhibition " Inspiration Dior," the Pushkin Museum showcases Dior magic and luxury while emphasizing the outstanding house's links with art. The key themes of the Dior legend - past and present - are presented on a grand scale in original fashion, set against unique works of art.

The new look is echoed in works by Picasso, Modigliani, Renoir, Cezanne and Gauguin. Nudes by Vanessa Beecroft, Maurizio Cattelan  and Orlan emphasize the modern lines of the female body, accentuated by Christian Dior.

Inspiration Dior is an enchanting waltz through time with lush gardens and recollections of the 18th century and the Belle Epoque, Marie-Antoinette meets Jeff Koons. Bonnard's landscapes celebrates Dior's flower-women. This exhibition takes the visitor in a fabulous journey around the world, Spain via Goya, heady Orient via Matisse and of course Russia and Asia.

Photo: Luc Castel

Courtesy Dior

Inspiration Dior is currently on exhibited at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow

April 28 - July 24
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American Dior by Kate Betts

Christian Dior was an influential French fashion designer, best known as the founder of one of the world's top fashion houses, also called Christian Dior. He lived the American dream. From the first time he set foot in New York, the legendary designer had a special relationship with the United States, and he may even be more important in America than in France.
 American Dior, the 168 pages-book, published by Assouline, contains detailed drawings of the elaborate foundations, images of the New Look collection and more. With the introduction of the New look, Dior became American fashion's ultimate agent provocateur playing on the country's appetite for newness and for French savoir-faire. His collection revolutionized women's dress. His designs were more voluptuous with the use of fabrics lined with percale, bustier-style bodices, hip padding, wasp-waisted corsets and petticoats, giving his models a very curvaceous form. Dior used to say that his client would be "the most elegant woman in the world," which proved to be true, dressing an A-list of American icons such as Lauren Bacall, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe and Elisabeth Taylor among them.

Images courtesy Assouline

American Dior is available at Assouline

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