February 12, 1947, the day marking the first fashion show for the new Maison Dior. Christian had only one aim: to revive Paris haute couture, which had lost its luster under the occupation. The challenge was daunting, but this debut collection would instantly win over all the journalists, buyers and clients who had made the trip. With his new look, Christian Dior was crowned a great couturier and finally took his place in history.

12 février 1947, jour du premier défilé de la jeune Maison Dior. Christian n’a qu’une idée en tête : faire renaître la haute-couture parisienne qui a perdu de son éclat sous l’occupation. Le défi est de taille mais cette première collection saura convaincre les journalistes, les acheteurs et les clients qui ont fait le déplacement. Avec son nouveau look, Christian Dior est sacré grand couturier et entre enfin dans l’histoire. 

Drawing now occupied a special place in the life of Christian Dior. He made himself known to grand couturiers and renowned milliners alike, with much success. So much so that Robert Piguet offered him a job as a designer in his couture house. Christian could finally, excitingly give life to his sketches. But 1939 brought the beginning of the Second World War. Christian Dior was mobilized and had to leave Paris. 

Le dessin occupe désormais une place de choix dans la vie de Christian Dior. Il se fait connaître auprès de grands couturiers et modistes renommés. Il a un succès fou. A tel point que Robert Piguet lui offre une place de modéliste dans sa maison de couture. Christian peut enfin donner vie à ses croquis, il exulte. Mais 1939 annonce le début de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Christian Dior est mobilisé et doit quitter Paris. 

1931: the effects of the economic crash in the United States were felt violently in France. For the Dior clan, a sudden reversal of fortune was exacerbated by a terrible tragedy. But Christian proved himself to be strong and clear-headed in the face of adversity. His friends showed great generosity in looking out for him when he found himself penniless and fell seriously ill. And so he was sent off to rest and recuperate in the Pyrenees. And then to Majorca where the sun, the landscapes and the colors would stimulate his senses and awaken his creativity. 

1931 : la crise économique venue des Etats-Unis déferle violemment sur la France. Le clan Dior affronte un revers de fortune et un terrible drame. Mais Christian se révèle fort et lucide face à l’adversité. Ses amis font preuve d’une belle générosité et l'accompagnent alors qu’il se retrouve sans le sou et qu’il tombe gravement malade. Destination Font-Romeu ! Puis Majorque où le soleil, les paysages, les couleurs stimulent ses sens et réveillent sa créativité 

Christian Dior is now 20 years old. During the day, he was undertaking his political science studies. But by night he was swept up in the rhythm of the Roaring Twenties, frequenting cabarets and other festive venues where he made extraordinary and fateful encounters. The artists he met fascinated him, piquing his curiosity and becoming his close friends. So why waste his time being bored with politics when the art world was where Christian seemed to belong?

Christian Dior a maintenant 20 ans. Le jour, il suit ses cours de sciences politiques. La nuit, il vibre au rythme des années folles, dans les cabarets et autres lieux de fête, où il fait des rencontres extraordinaires et décisives. Les artistes qu’il côtoie le fascinent, piquent sa curiosité et deviennent ses amis proches. Décidément, pourquoi s’ennuyer en Politique alors que c’est dans le monde de l’art que Christian semble trouver sa place ?

The story starts on the coast of Normandy, at Granville, where the young Christian grew up on a clifftop overlooking the sea and surrounded by the roses of his beloved mother, Madeleine. These splendors would become his main sources of inspiration. And then there was the Paris of the Belle Epoque! The Haussmannian architecture and the elegance of the day's fashions provoked in him a fundamental desire to create. But, as a member of a wealthy industrialist family, how could such a dream ever become a reality? 

Tout commence sur la côte Normande, à Granville. Le petit Christian grandit en haut d’une falaise, face à la mer et au milieu des rosiers de Madeleine, sa mère chérie. Ces splendeurs deviendront ses principales sources d’inspiration. Et que dire du Paris de la Belle Epoque ! L’architecture haussmannienne et l'élégance des silhouettes feront naître en lui ce besoin vital de créer. Mais comment réaliser ce rêve quand on naît au sein du clan Dior, à la tête d’une industrie florissante ?