21 Facts About Christian Dior

Christian Dior was born in Granville, a seaside town on the coast of Normandy, France.

Christian Dior was the second of five children born to Maurice Dior, a wealthy fertilizer manufacturer, and his wife, formerly Madeleine Martin.

Christian Dior had four siblings: Raymond, Jacqueline, Bernard, and Catherine Dior.

When Christian Dior was about five years old, the family moved to Paris, but still returned to the Normandy coast for summer holidays.

Christian Dior's family had hoped he would become a diplomat, but Christian Dior wished to be involved in art.

In 1928, Christian Dior left school and received money from his father to finance a small art gallery, where he and a friend sold art by the likes of Pablo Picasso.

Christian Dior had no choice but to find another source of income to support himself.

In search of work, Christian Dior created fashion sketches and ended up selling them.

From 1937, Christian Dior was employed by the fashion designer Piguet, who gave him the opportunity to design for three Piguet collections.

Christian Dior left Piguet when he was called up for military service.

In 1942, when Christian Dior left the army, he joined the fashion house of Lucien Lelong, where he and Balmain were the primary designers.

Christian Dior refused, wishing to make a fresh start under his own name rather than reviving an old brand.

In 1946, with Boussac's backing, Christian Dior founded his fashion house.

Christian Dior's designs were more voluptuous than the boxy, fabric-conserving shapes of the recent World War II styles, influenced by the wartime rationing of fabric.

Christian Dior's collection was an inspiration to many women post war, and helped them regain their love for fashion.

Christian Dior told Yves Saint Laurent's mother in 1957 that he had chosen Saint Laurent to succeed him at Christian Dior.

Christian Dior indicated later that she had been confused by the remark, as Dior was only 52 at the time.

Christian Dior died of a sudden heart attack while on vacation in Montecatini, Italy, on 24 October 1957 in the late afternoon while playing a game of cards.

Christian Dior was survived by Jacques Benita, a North African singer three decades his junior, the last of a number of discreet male lovers.

Christian Dior was nominated for the 1955 Academy Award for Best Costume Design in black and white for the Terminal Station directed by Vittorio De Sica.

Christian Dior was nominated in 1967 for a BAFTA for Best British Costume for the Arabesque directed by Stanley Donen.