Christian Dior

Known as one of the most important couturiers of the twentieth century, Christian Dior debuted his first collection in 1947 to great critical acclaim. Dubbed The New Look, the collection featured cinched-in waists, full skirts, sloping shoulders and calf-length hems. The curvaceous form came in stark contrast to the fabric rationing and harsh lines of the war years and created a feminine revolution in the world of fashion. The house of Dior enjoyed great success throughout the 40s and 50s, licensing their name to furs, stockings, and perfumes. Even Dior's untimely death in 1957 did not stop the house from thriving, with Yves Saint Laurent and then Marc Bohan taking over as lead designer. John Galliano took the reigns in 1996, debuting his first collection on the 50th anniversary of the label. Galliano stayed true to the mixture of romanticism, fantasy, and modernism that Dior infused into his own designs while adding a bold flair of his own, and is still creative director to this day. Today, Dior dresses the Hollywood set in beautiful lines of women's and men's couture and ready-to-wear clothing. The New Look of the 40s and 50s is still hinted at in Galliano's designs, but with a modern, fanciful edge. Dior is made more readily available to urban fashionistas through the brand's extensive collections of fragrances, watches, shoes, makeup, and eyewear. J'adore, Poison, and Miss Dior are among the most coveted fragrances in the cosmetic world. Dior has over 130 boutiques worldwide, and continues to expand and take more ownership of its label.