Celebration of the 100th anniversary of legendary French couturier Christian Dior, who revolutionized haute couture by brining in his New Look, will begin in May in Normandy. The range of festival events to honor the notable designer comprises a major exhibition, a fashion photography show, a vintage car rally, a film festival and sports tournaments.
The exhibition, called "Christian Dior – Man of the Century", will be showcased at Dior's childhood home-turned-museum in Granville on the northwest coast of France from May 15 to September 25. According to Christian Dior Couture chairman Sidney Toledano, Dior's family villa and its garden in Granville were "sources of inspiration for him" and thus were a perfect place to pay honor to the great man.
"It's time to look back in order to understand why the name Christian Dior is one of the great names in the world of luxury," Toledano told a press conference on Thursday.
"He had a very short life that forever affected the world of couture, luxury and France as a whole."
Christian Dior began his skyrocketing career as an art gallery owner, and opened his own fashion house in 1946. His first spring-summer collection shown on February 12, 1947, featuring the innovative look with fitted waists and slim shoulders, immediately made him the designer to watch. He died of a heart attack in October 1957 at age 52.
Designer Pierre Cardin and Dior's former assistant Andre Levasseur were among the attendants of the news conference at Dior headquarters on Thursday.
"With him, I learned what true elegance was. Without him, I would not be Pierre Cardin," said the 82-year-old French couturier who was Dior's first employee, working with him for three years.
"I left him with much regret, but I had a lot of ambition at the time and wanted to start my own house," Cardin explained to AFP.
"He is still very much present," said the creative director for Christian Dior John Galliano. "I wish I could have met him, and sometimes I still ask for his advice. I think we would have had a lot in common."