Happy birthday, House of Dior!

The Haute Couture House of Dior celebrates it's 60th year today! Dior, founded by Christian Dior was the source of all those nipped-in waists and puffy post-WWII skirts. Termed the 'New Look' (e.g. right source), it was a radical change from the 20s flapper style, the between wars simplicity of Chanel, and the war-time fashions that reflected rationing of fabrics. Geez that's a beautiful dress - I'd buy something like that if it were on sale now!

Things looked pretty dire for the house when Dior died prematurely in 1957, but the he had the foresight to appoint the 21-yo Yves St. Laurent as successor. Things went nicely along for a while but by the mid-90s with couture sales falling. I don't know if the sales have since risen (it's a very specialised market!), but the house was rejuvenated in 1996 with the appointment of John Galliano to head couture and ready to wear lines.

Galliano...he might look a right nutbag the way he goes out in public (left, source), but you can not deny the sheer beauty of his creations. Ignore the fact that the pic features Charlize Theron who could make a bag look good. That dress is a MARVEL. Just look at it!!! That is the kind of dress I imagine despotic empresses wore when they were sending peasants to their death. What fashion-loving girls get to wear in heaven! I don't know how comfortable it is, I don't really care. It's a stunner through and through.

But this dress worn by Cameron Diaz really takes the cake (source). I don't doubt that it helps to have a body like Diaz's to show it off, but that dress is an artistic and architectural wonder! The shadows created by the combination of all those layers and ruffles and light bouncing off the hot fuschia satin. I believe that this dress could make anyone feel like a goddess, and I know that James Packer paid $100,000 so Erica Baxter could wear it at their wedding. Incidentally, I think the pink version is better - the white doesn't seem as spectacular to me.

In any case, hats off to you and your style, Mr. Galliano. Continue that spectacular sense of style that Dior is known for and let the House define high fashion for another sixty more years.