dior new look collection 1947 | original christian Dior designs

February 12, 1947, marked a watershed moment in the history of fashion. On that day, Christian Dior, a relatively unknown French designer, unveiled his debut collection at his newly established couture house, Dior, on Avenue Montaigne in Paris. This wasn't just another fashion show; it was a revolution. Dior's collection, soon to be dubbed the "New Look," audaciously rejected the utilitarian and austere silhouettes of the war years, ushering in an era of opulent femininity and extravagance. It was a bold statement, a declaration that the world was ready to move on from the hardship and limitations imposed by World War II and embrace beauty, luxury, and a renewed sense of hope.

Christian Dior 1947 Collection Designs: A Symphony of Curves and Volume

The Dior New Look wasn't a single garment; it was a comprehensive aesthetic, a radical departure from the prevailing styles of the 1940s. Key elements defined this revolutionary style:

* The Bar Suit: Arguably the most iconic piece of the collection, the Bar Suit epitomized the New Look's defining characteristics. It featured a tightly fitted jacket with rounded, padded shoulders and a nipped-in waist, flaring dramatically over the hips. The accompanying skirt, often reaching mid-calf length, was either softly pleated or dramatically flared, emphasizing the hourglass figure. This suit, more than any other piece, became synonymous with the New Look's silhouette. The bar suit had a very specific structure, the jacket was made up of many different pieces of fabric to give it its form, as many as 9 pieces.

* The Full Skirt: Dior's skirts were a revelation. After years of fabric rationing and slim, practical skirts, the New Look's full, voluminous skirts were a symbol of extravagance and rebirth. These skirts, often supported by layers of petticoats, created a graceful, flowing silhouette that accentuated the waist and hips. The "Corolle" line, named after the botanical term for the petals of a flower, featured skirts that blossomed outward, creating a visually stunning and undeniably feminine effect.

* The Cinched Waist: The defining characteristic of the New Look was undoubtedly the emphasis on a tiny, defined waist. Dior achieved this through meticulous tailoring, boning, and clever use of padding. The effect was a dramatic hourglass figure, reminiscent of the Victorian era, and a stark contrast to the boxy, less defined shapes of the 1940s. This focus on the waist was a key element in creating the desired feminine ideal.

* Rounded Shoulders: While the 1940s often featured sharp, angular shoulders, Dior opted for a softer, more rounded silhouette. Padded shoulders added structure to the jacket while maintaining a graceful, feminine line. This softened the overall look and contributed to the New Look's aura of elegance and refinement.

* Longer Hemlines: The longer hemlines, falling well below the knee and often reaching mid-calf, were a significant departure from the shorter skirts of the war years. This was a deliberate move by Dior to reintroduce a sense of elegance and sophistication, and it immediately became a defining characteristic of the New Look. The longer skirts required significantly more fabric, further emphasizing the collection's extravagance.

* Luxurious Fabrics: Dior utilized luxurious fabrics such as silk, wool, and taffeta, which were in stark contrast to the more utilitarian materials used during the war. The use of these fabrics not only contributed to the overall opulence of the collection but also helped to create the desired shape and drape of the garments. The weight and texture of the fabrics played a crucial role in achieving the New Look's signature silhouette.

Christian Dior 1947 Fashion Style: A Celebration of Femininity

The Christian Dior 1947 fashion style was more than just a collection of clothes; it was a statement about the role of women in society. It was a celebration of femininity, elegance, and grace, a deliberate rejection of the practical, masculine styles that had dominated the war years. The New Look was designed to enhance a woman's natural curves and create a flattering, romantic silhouette.

Dior's designs emphasized:

* Romanticism: The New Look evoked a sense of romanticism and nostalgia for a bygone era. The flowing skirts, cinched waists, and delicate fabrics created a soft, feminine aesthetic that was a welcome change from the austerity of the war years.

* Elegance: Elegance was at the heart of the New Look. Dior's designs were meticulously crafted and impeccably tailored, exuding a sense of sophistication and refinement. Every detail, from the placement of a seam to the choice of a button, was carefully considered to create a look of timeless elegance.

* Luxury: The New Look was unapologetically luxurious. The use of expensive fabrics, intricate embellishments, and elaborate construction techniques signaled a return to a world of affluence and indulgence. This luxury was a key element in the New Look's appeal, offering women a chance to escape the hardships of the past and embrace a more glamorous future.

* Sophistication: The New Look was designed to be sophisticated and mature. It was a style for women who wanted to be taken seriously, who appreciated quality and craftsmanship, and who understood the power of fashion to express their individuality.