Customer Reviews

Christian Dior

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Francoise Giroud and Sacha Van Dorssen's book _Christian Dior_ is a huge, expensive volume chock-full of full-page B&W and color photography of many of the master's greatest couture creations. I first saw this book nearly ten years ago and have been looking high and low for it ever since, and was extraordinarily fortunate to get it at a cheap price earlier this year (the prices listed in the current listing are much more representative). I personally think this book is superior to Farid Chenoune's 2007 book _Dior_, in that the latter, I believe, spends too little time on the great 1947-57 fashions which are the reason for being of the current volume.

At any price, this book is an excellent buy for anyone who loves the "New Look" fashion style that Dior did so much to foster. Be sure to check also Esmeralda de Rethy's _Christian Dior: The Early Years, 1947-1957_, Brigid Keenan's _Dior in Vogue_, Marie-France Pochna's bio of Dior, and the 2007 book _Christian Dior and Germany, 1947 to 1957_.

Francoise Giroud's book about Christian Dior is one of the best studies of the great couturier and his fashion house. The text is highly informative and there are plentiful illustrations and photos (color and black and white) of Dior's creations, clients, friends, homes, etc, in short everything that was part of his life. There is also information about the designers who worked for the house after Dior's death, Yves Saint-Laurent and Marc Bohan.
What I didn't like about the book is that there are a number of close up photos of gowns. Close ups are great so that one can see the details, but they're pretty useless if not accompanied by a full length view of the garment.