I took quite a long break with many, many NetGalley books to review, but I’m back reading the V&A Fashion Perspectives series. I have enjoyed getting a “behind the scenes” look at these designers, as all save for Quant are no longer with us. However, I would be lying if I hadn’t saved the Christian Dior autobiography specifically. Originally my plan was to buy this at the Dior exhibition at the V&A- the perfect time- but I ended up ordering it afterwards. (The exhibition book was too gorgeous to pass up.) So without any further adieu, here my Dior by Dior review!
If you aren’t familiar with the V&A Fashion Perspectives series, you can find the full info in my post here! It is a series of memoirs from different figures in the fashion industry. (Notably designers, but also milliners, editors, salespeople, and more!) I own the six physical books, and am making my way through them.
Dior by Dior, Christian Dior
Christian Dior (1905–1957) rocketed to fame with his first collection in 1947 when the “New Look” took the world by storm. This charming and modest autobiography gives a fascinating and detailed insight into the workings of a great fashion house, while revealing the private man behind the high-profile establishment. It is also a unique portrait of classic Paris haute couture of the 1950s and offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes. Dior details his childhood in Granville, the family and friends closest to him, his most difficult years and sudden success, as well as his sources of inspiration and creative processes.
Why You Should Read Dior by Dior…
I find that these books are all over the place- an autobiography is largely up to the person writing it. And I don’t know if they were asked to write these specifically for the V&A or if they were purchased after for it. In any case, this is one of my favourite autobiographies, period. Dior takes you through the entire history of the house- not that much, given that it had only been open for a few years at the time of writing. However, he also sheds a lot of light onto his design process, the showing process (with those famous mannequins we all can recognise still), and how the house grew internationally. I particularly enjoyed that he shared a little of his meetings with Princess Margaret- not anything scandalous, but he does chat about it. The book finishes up with a bit of Dior’s personal history.
I know that some people might disagree with me, but I loved that this focused on Dior as a designer rather than Dior as a person. Not that I’m not interested in their personal stories, but I think that these books are marketed at people like me, who want to know more about the design side of things. And given that the post-war fashion scene in Paris is legendary to this day, it seemed the perfect introduction. (And given how many historical fiction books are now set in this world, this book is purely practical for anyone who likes to pick those up, a la The Last Collection.)
I would say, I do wish I had read this before going to the Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition. I had an amazing time, and I don’t know that another exhibition will top it still, but I think I would have looked at everything slightly differently. The exhibition obviously looked at the house of Dior, and not just Christian Dior, but it would have been interesting to view it from that perspective.
V&A Fashion Perspectives Reviews
If you are looking for my other reviews for the series, you can find them here:
Silver and Gold by Norman Hartnell
I only have one book left in the series, so more reviews will be following in the coming months! (I’ve also been saving Schiaparelli’s, so I will also be taking my time with that one.)
Have you read Dior by Dior?
Cheers,
The Historian
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Bloglovin’
