Heroes Behind the Myth of Dior

Christian Dior 

Even before he had sketched his very first designs, Christian Dior had an unconditional passion for art in all its forms. Fascinated by the avant-garde movements of the time, he left the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po) to open a gallery at the age of 23. He then worked as an illustrator, learnt the art of creating prototypes from Robert Piguet in 1938 and refined his style at the house of Lucien Lelong. From the founding of his Maison in 1946, his silhouettes celebrated the sense of joie de vivre after the dark times of war – in particular, the iconic New Look. In only ten years, from 1947 to 1957, Monsieur Dior revolutionized the codes of elegance and femininity.

Maria Grazia Chiuri

Since her arrival at Dior, in 2016, Maria Grazia Chiuri has promoted the idea of universal female empowerment and an essential, steadfast sisterhood. The messages of her collections, conceived as manifestos, celebrate the values carried forward by the feminist (r)evolutions, transcending injunctions and stereotypes. A bold vision, which, over the seasons and numerous creative dialogues, reinvents the timeless icons and codes of Dior. Through her many collaborations with artists and craftspeople all over the world, Maria Grazia Chiuri constantly weaves precious links between knowledge and cultures, making each Dior show a collective and socially engaged work of art.

KIM JONES 

Kim Jones was born in London in 1979, but by the age of three months, he was already headed with his globetrotting family to Ecuador. A “nomadicˮ childhood followed including stays throughout Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana) and the Caribbean and frequent stops back home in London.

By the age of fourteen, Jones knew he wanted a creative career and he considered graphics and photography before discovering that fashion was: “something I could build a world around.ˮ

Jones attended London’s prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design where he obtained an MA in Menswear. His graduation show was covered extensively by the press which convinced him to launch his eponymous brand and the first collection was presented at London Fashion week in 2003. A stint as designer for British high street sportswear brand Umbro followed. This was the first time a cutting edge young designer took on a mass menswear brand in the U.K. and the collaboration was very well received. Jones followed with design for Britain’s Topman, Mulberry, Alexander McQueen, Alfred Dunhill and others where he injected his own vibrant mix of High fashion and street style into classic English menswear.

Jones joined Louis Vuitton in 2011 as Men’s Artistic Director and presented his last collection in January 2018.

In March 2018, Jones is appointed as Artistic Director of Dior for the Men’s Ready-to-Wear and Accessory collections. His first collection was presented in June 2018, during the Paris Men’s fashion week.