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12th February, 1947. Christian Dior's 'New Look' was born.
This was his very first collection and in turn, made him one of the most important couturiers of the 20th century.
The collection was debuted at 10:30am on Avenue Montaigne in Paris.
It was officially titled "LA LIGNE COROLLE"
Corolle is the French for the circle of petals on a flower.
"I created flower women with gentle shoulders and generous bosoms, with tiny waists like stems and skirts belling out like petals," said Dior
Corolle is the French for the circle of petals on a flower.
"I created flower women with gentle shoulders and generous bosoms, with tiny waists like stems and skirts belling out like petals," said Dior
The name "The New Look" came from an overheard remark by Carmel Snow, the former editor-in-chief of the American edition Harper's Bazaar, who was at the show.
"It's quite a revolution, dear Christian! Your dresses have such a new look!"
"It's quite a revolution, dear Christian! Your dresses have such a new look!"
"New Look" became synonymous for any dress or separates inspired by Dior's Corolle silhouette
This was a return to the hourglass. Cinched waists, rounded and delicate shoulders, pointed breasts, and very full skirt.
Why was this such a revolution? Christian Dior, with his very first collection, changed the utilitarian fashion of post-war vestiary austerity.
Along with the change of the fashion silhouette, the body ideal was also forced to change. The early 1940s appreciated a much more slender figure. Taller, stronger, streamlined.
However, the 1950s ideal shifted to the small, curvy hourglass.
The New Look was a response to WWII. Rationing meant fabric was scarce, shorter hemlines, and a slimmer silhouette. Personally, I think the outfits were very stylish. But they weren't particularly feminine.
With the men away, women were stepping into traditionally male roles. Workwear and uniforms were practical and empowering - but feminine they were not.
Dior understood this and in 1947, The New Look was born.
Christian Dior found inspiration in the inherent romanticism of the 18th and 19th century.
The New Look was inspired by the old look.
The New Look was inspired by the old look.
To achieve The New Look, padding was sewn into the garments themselves in order to emphasize the hips and bust. Corsets also made a comeback. Dior was credited and blamed for "putting women back in corsets"
Most women chose to wear girdles, a form-fitting foundation garment, accentuating the hourglass figure.
Petticoats were also used to give the illusion of fuller hips .
