Inside-Out - The Official Topshop Blog: THE NEW LOOK

In 1947, Christian Dior changed the face of fashion with his revolutionary New Look. After the ration years of World War Two, the designers’ glamorous hour glass silhouette made from yards and yards of luxurious fabric captured the optimistic post-war feeling.

Tired of sharp shouldered, knee-length suits in earthy shades, women all over the world were captivated by Dior’s wasp waists and flowing skirts. The presentation of Dior’s first collection at his atelier on 30 Avenue Montaigne in February 1947 caused a sensation. As Time wrote; 'Never in the history of fashion had a single designer made such a revolution in his first showing."

Rita Hayworth picked out a gown for the premiere of her new movie, Gilda, Princess Margaret ordered a suit and the ballerina, Margot Fonteyn was soon a regular customer.

What’s interesting is that Dior wasn’t just one of the most talented designers of the last century but a great businessman too. Along with his partner, Jacques Rouët, Dior made himself a household name. In context of the time, how this was done is fascinating!

In Alexandra Palmer’s beautifully illustrated book she examines the designers' seminal years, 1947 until his death in 1957 and explains why Dior became the most important couturier in Paris.

Based on new research, as well as celebrating the designer’s signature styles, the book examines how Dior designed and marketed ready-to-wear lines and broke new ground creating and controlling innovative licensing agreements for products such as perfumes and hoisery.

This the perfect Sunday afternoon read. Make yourself a cup of tea - in a china cup and saucer of course - and get ready to enter the magical world of Dior. With captivating photographs and illustrations to accompany the tale, this is a book you won't want to put down.