Christian Dior SE (commonly known as Dior (stylized DIOR), is a French multinational luxury fashion house controlled and chaired by French businessman Bernard Arnault, who also heads LVMH. Dior holds 42.36% shares and 59.01% of voting rights within LVMH.
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The company was founded in 1946 by French fashion designer Christian Dior, who was originally from Normandy. This brand sells only shoes and clothing that can only be bought in Dior stores. Haute couture is under the Christian Dior Couture division. Delphine Arnault has been the CEO of Christian Dior Couture since 2023
The company operates though five business groups: Christian Dior Couture, Wines & Spirits, Fashion & Leather Goods, Perfumes & Cosmetics, and Watches & Jewelry. The Christian Dior Couture group designs, manufactures and sells luxury articles. The Fashion & Leather Goods group manufactures leather handbags, shoes and small leather goods. The Wines & Spirits group produces various wines and other spirits. The Perfumes & Cosmetics group sells fragrances and cosmetic products. The Watches & Jewellery group designs and sells watches. The company was founded by Christian Dior on October 8, 1946 and is headquartered in Paris, France.“
1905
Birth of Christian Dior in Granville (Normandy, France), on January 21.
1946
Backed by Marcel Boussac, Christian Dior founds his own couture house, in a private house at 30, avenue Montaigne in Paris.
1947
On February 12, Christian Dior presents the 90 models of his first collection on six mannequins. The “Corolle” and “Huit” lines are very quickly rechristened “New Look”.
Parfums Christian Dior is founded, headed by Serge Heftler Louiche.
Dior names the first perfume “Miss Dior” in honor of his sister Catherine.
Pierre Cardin begins at Christian Dior, as the “leading man” in the workshop. He remains there until 1950.
1948
In November, a luxury ready-to-wear house is established in New York at the corner of 5th Avenue and 57th Street, the first of its kind.
Creation of Christian Dior Parfums New York.
1949
Launch of the perfume “Diorama”. By marketing Dior stockings in the United States, the brand creates the licensing system.
1950
License for neckties. All accessories follow. Within three years, this system will be copied by all the couture houses.
1952
The Christian Dior brand consolidates its presence in Europe by creating Christian Dior Models Limited in London.
Agreement with the House of Youth in Sydney for exclusive Christian Dior New York models.
Exclusive agreement with Los Gobelinos of Santiago, Chile for the Christian Dior Paris Haute Couture collections.
1955
At age 19, Yves Saint Laurent becomes Christian Dior’s first and only assistant.
Opening of the Grande Boutique at the corner of avenue Montaigne and rue François Ier.
Launch of Dior lipstick. A line of beauty products will follow.
1957
Christian Dior succumbs to a heart attack while convalescing at Montecatini on October 24. Yves Saint Laurent is named to provide artistic direction for the brand.
1960
Called up for National Service, Yves Saint Laurent leaves Dior after completing six collections. Marc Bohan succeeds him. He is 34 years old.
1961
Marc Bohan presents his first collection, “Slim Look,” under the Dior label.
1962
Yves Saint Laurent opens his own couture house.
1963
Launch of the perfume “Diorling”.
1966
Launch of the men’s fragrance “Eau Sauvage”.
1967
Philippe Guibourgé, assistant to Marc Bohan, creates the “Miss Dior” line, the first Dior women’s ready-to-wear line in France.
Opening of the “Baby Dior” boutique.
1968
Launch of the Christian Dior Coordinated Knits line.
The Dior perfume company is sold to Moët Hennessy.
Frédéric Castet assumes management of the Fashion Furs Department – Christian Dior Paris.
1970
Creation of the Christian Dior Monsieur line. At Parly II, a new Christian Dior boutique is decorated by Gae Aulenti.
1972
Launch of the perfume “Diorella”.
1973
Creation in France of the ready-to-wear fur collection, which will then be manufactured under license in the United States, Canada, and Japan.
1978
Bankruptcy of the Marcel Boussac group, whose assets, under the authorization of the Paris Trade Court, are purchased by the Willot Group.
1979
Launch of the perfume “Dioressence”.
1980
Launch of the men’s fragrance “Jules”.
1981
The Willot group declares bankruptcy.
1984
A group of investors, led by Bernard Arnault, takes control of the former Willot Group.
1985
Bernard Arnault becomes Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Christian Dior. Launch of the perfume “Poison”.
1987
The Paris Fashion Museum dedicates an exhibition to Christian Dior, on the fortieth anniversary of his first collection.
1988
Through its subsidiary Jacques Rober, held jointly with the Guinness group, Christian Dior takes a 32% equity stake in the share capital of LVMH. The share capital of Christian Dior is offered to French and foreign institutional investors who subscribe to a capital increase of 3.3 billion francs in a private placement.
1989
Gianfranco Ferré joins Christian Dior as creator of the Haute Couture, Fashion Furs, and Women’s ready-to-wear collections. His first Haute Couture collection is awarded the Dé d’Or. Opening of a boutique in Hawaii. Jacques Rober’s stake in LVMH is increased to 44%.
1990
Opening of boutiques in Los Angeles and New York. LVMH’s stake is increased to 46%.
1991
Listing of Christian Dior on the spot market, and then the monthly settlement market of the Paris stock exchange. Launch of the perfume “Dune”.
1992
Patrick Lavoix is named Creative Director of “Christian Dior Monsieur”. Relaunch of “Miss Dior” perfume.
1994
A revision of agreements with Guinness has the effect of increasing Christian Dior’s consolidated stake in LVMH from 24.5% to 41.6%.
1995
The Couture line is transferred to a wholly-owned subsidiary that takes the corporate name “Christian Dior Couture”.
1996
John Galliano becomes creator of Christian Dior Couture.
1997
Christian Dior Couture takes over the network of 13 boutiques operated under franchise by its Japanese licensee, Kanebo.
1998
Christian Dior Couture takes over the direct marketing of ready-to-wear and women’s accessories in Japan after terminating its licensing agreement with Kanebo.
1999
Launch of the perfume “J’adore”.
Creation of a new business group, Fine Jewelry, whose collections are created by Victoire de Castellane.
2001
In January 2001, Hedi Slimane, new creator of the “Homme” line, presents his first collection based on a new contemporary masculine concept.
Launch of the men’s fragrance “Higher”.
Opening of the Fine Jewelry boutique at Place Vendôme, created under the supervision of Victoire de Castellane.
2002
Launch of the perfume “Addict”.
2003
Opening of a flagship boutique in the Omotesando district (Tokyo).
2004
Opening of a flagship boutique in the Ginza district (Tokyo).
2005
Celebration of the centennial of Christian Dior’s birth.
Launch of the perfumes “Miss Dior Chérie” and “Dior Homme”.
2006
Christian Dior Couture directly takes over the activity of its Moscow agent and opens a boutique in the GUM department store.
2007
Celebration of the 60th anniversary of the creation of Maison Dior (1947). Kris Van Assche, the new creator of the menswear line, presents his first collections.
2008
Major exhibition organized in Beijing, in association with Chinese artists, to celebrate the brand’s entrance into the Chinese marketplace.
2009
New online advertising campaign for Lady Dior handbags featuring Marion Cotillard.
2010
Organization of an event in Shanghai to celebrate the expansion and reopening of the boutique in the Plaza 66 shopping mall.
2011
Organization of the Inspiration Dior exhibition in Moscow at the Pushkin Museum.
2012
Raf Simons is named artistic Director of the Haute Couture, Ready-to-wear, and Women’s accessories collections.
2013
Presentation of the first collection by Raf Simons and opening of boutiques in Vietnam.”
*Information from Forbes.com and www.dior-finance.com
**Video published on YouTube by “VanStraussTV“
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