The House of Dior: Ownership, Pronunciation, and Legacy
Who is Christian Dior?
Christian Dior is a name synonymous with luxury, elegance, and haute couture. For many luxury enthusiasts, questions arise about the ownership of this iconic fashion house and how to correctly pronounce its name.
In this comprehensive blog post, we'll delve into the history of Christian Dior, exploring its ownership structure and providing a guide to its pronunciation. We'll also take a journey through the brand's rich history and its impact on the fashion world that remains today.
Christian Dior was born in Granville, Normandy on January 21. He was born to Alexandre Louis Maurice Dior and Marie-Madeleine Dior who were in the fertilizer and chemical business. He had four other siblings.
In 1928, he opened an art gallery with his friend to honour the memory of their favourite artists such as Picsso, Braque, and Matisse. He eventually opened another gallery in 1932 with Pierre Colle.
Dior would eventually move on to working for various artists and designers before launching his own collection in 1947.
Who Owns Christian Dior?
Christian Dior has a complex ownership structure linked to luxury conglomerates in the fashion industry. Christian Dior, as a brand and company, is part of a larger corporate structure.
1. LVMH Group Ownership
Christian Dior is primarily owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, commonly known as LVMH. This French multinational corporation is a powerhouse in the luxury goods sector, owning a portfolio of over 75 prestigious brands across various categories including fashion, jewelry, wines and spirits, and cosmetics.
2. Arnault Family Control
At the helm of LVMH is Bernard Arnault, one of the world's wealthiest individuals. Arnault and his family hold a controlling stake in LVMH through various holding companies. The Arnault family's influence extends deeply into the operations and strategic decisions of Christian Dior and other LVMH brands.
3. Christian Dior SE
Adding a layer of complexity to the ownership structure is Christian Dior SE, a holding company that owns a significant portion of LVMH. Christian Dior SE is, in turn, majority-owned by Groupe Arnault, the family holding company of Bernard Arnault who is the leader of LVMH.
4. Corporate Structure
The ownership structure can be summarized as follows:
- Groupe Arnault (Arnault Family Holding) owns the majority of Christian Dior SE
- Christian Dior SE owns a controlling stake in LVMH
- LVMH owns and operates the Christian Dior brand
This intricate structure ensures that while Christian Dior operates as part of the larger LVMH group, it maintains a degree of separation through the Christian Dior SE holding company.
Historical Ownership Changes
Christian Dior hasn't always been under the LVMH umbrella. The brand has undergone several ownership changes since its founding in 1946:
- 1946-1957: Privately owned by Christian Dior himself
- 1957-1978: Owned by Boussac Group
- 1978-1984: Owned by Willot Group
- 1984-present: Gradually acquired by Bernard Arnault and integrated into the LVMH structure
How Do You Pronounce Christian Dior?
Now that we've unraveled the ownership structure, let's address the question of pronunciation. The correct pronunciation of Christian Dior can be challenging for non-French speakers.
For English speakers, this can be approximated as:
"kris-tee-AHN dee-OR"
Breaking it down:
- Christian: The "Ch" is pronounced as a hard "K" sound. The "tian" is pronounced similar to "tee-AHN" with a slight nasalization on the "AN."
- Dior: The "Di" is pronounced like "dee," and the "or" is similar to the English word "or" but with a slightly rolled "r" sound at the end.
Common mispronunciations to avoid:
- "Christian" with a "Ch" sound as in "church"
- "Dior" as "dee-or" with two distinct syllables
It's worth noting that while many English speakers pronounce it as "kris-chun dee-or," this is not the authentic French pronunciation.
The Legacy of Christian Dior
Understanding the ownership and pronunciation of Christian Dior is just the beginning. To truly appreciate the brand, it's essential to explore its rich history and enduring impact on the fashion world.
- The Founding of a Fashion Empire
Christian Dior founded his fashion house in 1946 after World War II. His first collection was presented in 1947. It revolutionized women's fashion and was dubbed the "New Look" by Carmel Snow, the editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar
- The New Look Revolution, Expansion, and Diversification
The New Look was characterized by a cinched in waist, full skirt that was calf length, and enhanced bust line. This silhouette became iconic and set the tone for 1950s women’s fashion.
Christian Dior did not stop there. Dior expanded his brand quickly to ready-to-wear, fragrances, and accessories. Later that same year he also launched his first perfume named “Miss Dior.” His childhood friend Serge Heftler-Louiche was named the director of Dior perfumes.
Succession of Creative Directors
After Christian Dior's untimely death in 1957, the fashion house has been led by a series of renowned designers:
- Yves Saint Laurent (1957-1960)
- Marc Bohan (1960-1989)
- Gianfranco Ferré (1989-1996)
- John Galliano (1996-2011)
- Bill Gaytten (interim, 2011-2012)
- Raf Simons (2012-2015)
- Maria Grazia Chiuri (2016-present)
Each creative director has brought their unique vision to the brand while maintaining the essence of Dior's original aesthetic.
Iconic Designs and Cultural Impact
Throughout its history, Christian Dior has created numerous iconic designs that have left an indelible mark on fashion:
The Bar Jacket:A cornerstone of the New Look, it remains a Dior signature piece.
The Lady Dior Bag:
This bag was created in 1995 and named after Princess Diana. It remains one of the most recognizable handbags in the world and is still being sold by the brand.
J'adore Perfume:
Launched in 1999, it has become one of the best-selling fragrances globally.
Specifically from the John Galliano era of Dior, let me draw your attention to the trotter print. This print is widely known and is characterized by a monogram style of the Dior logo all throughout each piece it is adorned with.
To this day, the print is still being used on their bags, however it has been renamed the oblique print.
Check out this example below. To the left is a picture of a Dior John Galliano era clutch available in my shop. It has the original trotter print. To the right is one of their newer clutches in the oblique print.
One can not help but realize, they are actually the same thing. Yet, the price difference for the John Galliano era clutch is much less! To be exact, you would save about $1320 CAD/$961 USD.
This can all be achieved by choosing to shop preowned designer bags and accessories. Shop the Dior trotter clutch >>HERE<<
Celebrity Associations
Dior has long been associated with celebrities and royalty. From Marlene Dietrich and Elizabeth Taylor in its early days to modern ambassadors like Jennifer Lawrence and Rihanna, the brand has always been at the forefront of pop culture.
(Pictured above is Rihanna to the left and Elizabeth Taylor to the right)
Fun Fact about Christian Dior
- Dior’s Superstitions
Christian Dior was known to be quite superstitious. He never started a collection without consulting his tarot card reader. He also included a small sprig of lily of the valley in the hem of each dress for good luck.
(Above is a picture of lily of the valley)
- The Miss Dior Perfume
The iconic Miss Dior perfume was named after Christian Dior’s sister, Catherine Dior. She was a strong and brave woman who was part of the French Resistance during World War II.
- Dior and Yves Saint Laurent
In 1957, a young Yves Saint Laurent was appointed as the head designer at Dior at the age of just 21. He continued Dior’s legacy before founding his own fashion house.
- A Star is Born
Christian Dior had a star-shaped lucky charm that he always carried with him. This talisman was discovered on the streets of Paris, and he kept it as a good luck charm throughout his life.
Conclusion
Christian Dior represents far more than a luxury brand. It's a fashion house with a rich history and an enduring legacy. From its ownership by the LVMH group and the Arnault family to its correct French pronunciation, Christian Dior continues to fascinate and influence the world of haute couture and beyond.
As we've explored, the brand's journey from a post-war Parisian couture house to a global luxury powerhouse is a testament to its ability to evolve while maintaining its core identity.
Whether you're a fashion enthusiast, a luxury consumer, or simply curious about iconic brands, understanding Christian Dior – its ownership, pronunciation, history, and future – offers valuable insights into the world of high fashion and luxury goods.
In the end, Christian Dior is more than just a name or a brand; it's a symbol of elegance, innovation, and timeless style that continues to shape the fashion landscape.
Chrisitan Dior is moving forward under the stewardship of LVMH and the creative direction of Maria Grazia Chiuri. Christian Dior remains poised to continue its influential role in the world of luxury fashion for years to come.
References
https://www.lvmh.com/our-maisons/fashion-leather-good/christian-dior
https://www.galeriedior.com/en/history
https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/lady-dior-bag-princess-diana-backstory#:~:text=For%20a%20compact%20handbag%2C%20the,of%20France%20at%20the%20time.
https://mojeh.com/fashion/dior-haute-couture-a-history-of-superstition/