Dior
| File:Dior Logo.svg Logo used since 2018 | |
| Company type | Public (Societas Europaea) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Luxury goods |
| Founded | December 16, 1946 in Paris, France |
| Founder | Christian Dior |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Bernard Arnault (Chairman), Antoine Arnault (CEO), Delphine Arnault (CEO of Christian Dior Couture) |
| Products | High-end apparel, fragrances, accessories, cosmetics |
| Owner | Bernard Arnault family (approx. 42% of LVMH equity) |
| Parent | LVMH (controlled via Christian Dior SE) |
| Website | www |
Christian Dior SE (), widely recognized simply as Dior, is a French global luxury brand overseen and chaired by French entrepreneur Bernard Arnault, who also heads LVMH.[1] As of December 2023, Dior possessed approximately 42% of LVMH's equity and controlled 57% of its voting power.[2] Additionally, the Arnault family held close to 7% of LVMH shares along with 8% of its voting rights.
The fashion label was originally created by designer Christian Dior in 1946, focusing on high-end apparel. Presently, the clothing line is managed by Christian Dior Couture, an LVMH subsidiary, whereas Christian Dior SE functions as a holding company with control over LVMH.[2] Bernard Arnault’s daughter, Delphine Arnault, has been the CEO of Christian Dior Couture since February 2023,[3] while his eldest son, Antoine Arnault, serves as CEO of Christian Dior SE.[4]
Establishment
The House of Dior was founded on 16 December 1946 at 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris, though the brand officially cites 1947 as its founding year. Designer Christian Dior received financial support from businessman Marcel Boussac, who invited him to create designs for his textile operations but permitted the establishment of an independent label. The couture house was integrated within Boussac’s vertically structured textile enterprise, beginning with capital of FFr 6 million and employing 80 staff members. Dior maintained considerable creative authority, including legal leadership responsibilities, a minority equity stake, and entitlement to one-third of pretax earnings, securing a substantial salary despite Boussac’s reputation for strict oversight.
"New Look"
On 12 February 1947, Christian Dior unveiled his inaugural Spring–Summer collection at the Paris headquarters. Initially called "Corolle" and "Huit," the line became famously known as the New Look after Carmel Snow, editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar, exclaimed, "It's such a new look!" This collection rejuvenated postwar French haute couture with a silhouette highlighting a cinched waist and voluminous skirt extending below mid-calf length, epitomized by the iconic "Bar" suit crafted by Pierre Cardin, then head of Dior’s tailoring workshop.
The New Look stood in stark contrast to wartime austerity, presenting glamorous and feminine designs characterized by narrow waists and soft shoulders while retaining certain masculine features. It gained favor among Hollywood celebrities, American buyers, and European nobility, reestablishing Paris as the global fashion center after World War II. The aesthetic was adopted by notable personalities such as Princess Margaret and continued to influence designers well into the twenty-first century.
Despite widespread acclaim, the New Look attracted criticism for its lavish use of fabric during a period of postwar rationing and faced opposition from feminists who viewed it as restrictive. Groups like the League of Broke Husbands protested its expense, while Coco Chanel condemned its discomfort. Nevertheless, the New Look’s impact endured; designers including John Galliano revisited it for Dior’s Spring-Summer 2007 collection, modernizing the wasp waist with origami-inspired elements. In 2012, Raf Simons reimagined the New Look for his first haute couture collection at Dior, combining luxurious materials with minimalist yet sensual designs that emphasized self-esteem and personal expression. This creative journey was captured in Dior and I, documenting Simons’s fusion of technology and contemporary style.
Dior
Christian Dior Parfums was established in 1947, introducing its inaugural fragrance, Miss Dior, named in honor of Christian Dior's sister, Catherine. Ownership of the perfume division was divided among Christian Dior Ltd (25%), Coty (35%), and Boussac (40%), with Serge Heftler Louiche at the helm. From 1947 until 1950, Pierre Cardin led the Dior atelier. In 1948, Christian Dior Parfums expanded to New York City, coinciding with the launch of a luxury ready-to-wear boutique on 5th Avenue—the first of its kind. The following year saw the debut of the Diorama perfume, and the New Look collection generated profits amounting to FFr 12.7 million.
Expansion and Death of Christian Dior
By the end of 1949, Dior had extended its reach internationally through a boutique in New York. That same year, the brand represented 75% of Parisian fashion exports and contributed 5% to France's overall export earnings.
In 1949, Australian entrepreneur Douglas Cox partnered with Dior to create exclusive designs tailored for the Australian market; however, these avant-garde creations were deemed too radical for local preferences, resulting in a partnership that lasted just one season.
In 1950, Jacques Rouët launched a licensing initiative to broaden the "Christian Dior" brand into luxury accessories such as neckties, hosiery, furs, hats, gloves, handbags, jewelry, lingerie, and scarves—despite opposition from the French Chamber of Couture. This lucrative approach became a model adopted by other couture houses.
Dior served as the sole designer for Marlene Dietrich’s wardrobe in Alfred Hitchcock's film Stage Fright (1950). By this period, more than half of Dior’s income originated from the U.S. market. In 1952, Christian Dior Models Limited was founded in London, with licensing agreements extending to Australia and Chile. The first line of Dior footwear was introduced in 1953 through collaboration with Roger Vivier. By then, the company had established presences in Mexico, Cuba, Canada, and Italy while contending with increasing counterfeit issues.
During the mid-1950s, Dior had become a prestigious fashion powerhouse with boutiques including the initial store at 9 Conduit Street (1954) and the Grande Boutique on Avenue Montaigne (1955). Notable fashion events included a show at Blenheim Palace celebrating Princess Margaret and the Duchess of Marlborough. The brand launched its first lipstick in 1955 and had sold 100,000 garments by its tenth anniversary in 1956. Actress Ava Gardner wore fourteen custom-made Dior gowns for her role in The Little Hut (1956).
Christian Dior graced the cover of Time magazine on 4 March 1957 but passed away later that year from a heart attack on 24 October. His enduring influence secured his place among fashion’s most iconic figures; by his passing, his name was synonymous with elegance and luxury.
Throughout his career, Dior's creations were favored by prominent personalities such as Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Édith Piaf, Rita Hayworth, Marlene Dietrich, Princess Margaret, and Jennifer Jones—underscoring his significant impact across Hollywood and European aristocracy.
Dior without Christian Dior: 1957 through the 1970s
After Christian Dior’s death, the House faced uncertainty; general manager Jacques Rouët even contemplated closing operations worldwide. This idea met resistance from Dior licensees and France’s fashion sector due to Dior’s vital economic importance. To rejuvenate the brand, Rouët appointed a young Yves Saint Laurent as Artistic Director in 1957 at just 21 years old. Saint Laurent had been personally selected by Dior in 1955 as Head Assistant and presented his first collection in 1958 to critical praise. His designs preserved Dior’s craftsmanship while introducing lighter and softer silhouettes that earned him national acclaim. Nonetheless, his more provocative collections in 1960—drawing inspiration from Beatnik and bohemian styles—were met with severe criticism. After being conscripted into the French military, Saint Laurent departed from Dior following six collections.
Saint Laurent was succeeded by Marc Bohan at the end of 1960; Bohan introduced a more conservative aesthetic that balanced creativity with practicality. Credited with maintaining Dior’s position "at fashion’s forefront," Bohan attracted high-profile clients such as Elizabeth Taylor who commissioned twelve dresses from his Spring-Summer 1961 "Slim Look" collection. Under Bohan’s leadership, product lines expanded: "Diorling" perfume was launched in 1963 followed by men's fragrance "Eau Sauvage" in 1966. His assistant Philippe Guibourgé pioneered France’s first ready-to-wear collection "Miss Dior" in 1967 alongside opening "Baby Dior" boutique on Avenue Montaigne. The Christian Dior Coordinated Knit collection debuted in 1968 while Frédéric Castet assumed management of Fashion Furs Department.
In that same year, due to financial difficulties faced by Boussac’s textile business—the then-owner of Dior—Dior Parfums was sold to Moët-Hennessy (a precursor to LVMH), although this transaction did not impact core operations at Dior. Christian Dior Cosmetics was created in 1969 featuring an exclusive product range.
Bohan further developed the brand by introducing the first Christian Dior Homme line in 1970 and inaugurated a new boutique at Parly II designed by Gae Aulenti. The "Diorella" fragrance followed in 1972. The Ready-to-Wear Fur Collection debuted domestically in France during 1973 before expanding under license agreements to markets like the US, Canada, and Japan. Partnering with licensee Benedom resulted in Dior's first watch release—the "Black Moon"—in 1975. Haute couture from this period dressed notable personalities including Princess Grace of Monaco, Nicaraguan First Lady Hope Portocarrero, Princess Alexandra of Yugoslavia, and Lady Pamela Hicks for prestigious occasions such as the wedding of The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer.
In 1978, following bankruptcy proceedings involving the Boussac Group, its assets—including Christian Dior—were acquired by the Willot Group under authorization from Paris Trade Court. Subsequently, perfumes "Dioressence" (1979) and men’s fragrance "Jules" (1980) were introduced to the market.
Bernard Arnault's Entry
Following the Willot Group's collapse in 1981, Bernard Arnault and his investment consortium took control of the company in December 1984 for a nominal fee of "one symbolic franc." In 1985, the same year Arnault assumed the roles of chairman, CEO, and managing director, Dior introduced the perfume "Poison." He discontinued the company's struggling textile division to concentrate on Bon Marché department store and Christian Dior Couture, restructuring Christian Dior S.A. into a holding entity for Dior Couture. To celebrate Dior’s 40th anniversary, the Paris Fashion Museum organized a dedicated exhibition honoring the brand.
By 1988, Arnault's Christian Dior S.A., through its subsidiary Jacques Rober, secured a 32% share in Moët-Hennessy • Louis Vuitton, creating one of the premier luxury conglomerates worldwide. This acquisition reunited Christian Dior’s couture and perfume branches. In 1989, Italian designer Gianfranco Ferré succeeded Bohan as head designer, introducing a sophisticated and minimalist aesthetic that diverged from Dior’s traditional motifs. Ferré oversaw Haute Couture, Ready-to-Wear, and Accessories lines; his debut collection earned the Dé d'Or award that same year. Additionally, a boutique was inaugurated in Hawaii, and Jacques Rober’s LVMH stake increased to 44%.
The year 1990 witnessed the opening of new boutiques in elite neighborhoods across New York City, Los Angeles, and Tokyo, with LVMH’s ownership rising to 46%. That year also saw the launch of the "Bagheera" watch line, inspired by the "Black Moon" design. After dismissing managing executive Beatrice Bongbault in December 1990, Arnault temporarily filled the vacancy until appointing Phillipe Vindry—former Bon Marché president—as managing director in September 1991. Christian Dior was listed on Paris Stock Exchange’s monthly settlement market in 1991; simultaneously, the perfume "Dune" was introduced. Vindry implemented a 10% price reduction on ready-to-wear items despite premium pricing remaining high—wool suits still cost approximately USD 1,500. Dior posted revenues of USD 129.3 million with net profits of USD 22 million in 1990. The company restructured its operations into categories including women's ready-to-wear (also encompassing lingerie and children's apparel), accessories and jewelry, as well as menswear. Licensing agreements were halved to emphasize exclusivity and quality over volume. Expansion of company-owned boutiques extended to Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Cannes, and Waikiki alongside principal stores in New York City, Hawaii, Paris, and Geneva—enhancing direct sales channels and profit margins. In 1992, Patrick Lavoix assumed artistic leadership of Dior Homme while "Miss Dior" perfume underwent a relaunch. Francois Baufume succeeded Vindry in 1993 and continued efforts to reduce licensing.
In 1995, production of Dior Haute Couture was spun off into a dedicated subsidiary named Christian Dior Couture. That year also marked the debut of the "La Parisienne" watch model; revenue climbed to USD 177 million with net income reaching USD 26.9 million. Influenced by Anna Wintour, Arnault appointed British designer John Galliano as head designer in 1997—a notable choice outside French nationality. Although Arnault expressed preference for a French creative director, he prioritized exceptional talent above nationality, likening Galliano’s visionary skills to those of Christian Dior himself. Galliano invigorated interest through boundary-pushing runway presentations such as the provocative "Homeless Show," featuring models clad in newspapers and paper bags, as well as the "S&M Show." Concurrently, CEO Sidney Toledano further curtailed licensing agreements. On October 15th, 1997, the revamped Avenue Montaigne flagship store reopened with a high-profile gala attended by celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Demi Moore, and Jacques Chirac. That same year saw Christian Dior Couture acquire all thirteen Japanese boutique franchises previously held by Kanebo.
In May 1998, a new boutique launched on Paris’s Left Bank at Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Victoire de Castellane became lead designer for Dior Fine Jewellery, which opened its first boutique in New York followed by another at 28 Avenue Montaigne in Paris during 1999. The perfume "J'adore" was introduced that year.
October 1999 featured Galliano’s Spring-Summer 2000 ready-to-wear collection unveiling the now-iconic Dior Saddle bag, recognized as one of the decade's earliest "It Bags." This collection reflected increasing influence from hip-hop culture on luxury fashion trends, drawing inspiration from artists such as Lauryn Hill. The hip-hop community's affinity for luxury branding contributed to a surge in "logomania," which brands like Dior embraced by incorporating monogram prints and streetwear elements into couture designs.
That year also marked Benedom—Dior’s longstanding watch partner—joining LVMH. In 2000, Galliano expanded his creative control over ready-to-wear collections, accessories lines, advertising campaigns, and communications strategies. His inaugural campaign featured provocative imagery captured by photographer Nick Knight, sparking a wave of erotic-themed advertising within luxury fashion akin to contemporaries such as Gucci. Galliano’s marketing efforts arguably transformed Dior more through groundbreaking promotional strategies than design innovations alone, culminating in controversial campaigns like those for Ungaro shot by Mario Sorrenti.
21st century
On 17 July 2000, Patrick Lavoix, the lead designer of Dior Homme, was succeeded by Hedi Slimane. Among Dior's notable timepieces were models such as the "Malice," featuring bracelets with "CD" links, and the "Riva." In 2001, John Galliano unveiled the "Chris 47 Aluminum" watch series, signaling a new chapter in Dior's horological offerings. Subsequently, the "Malice" and "Riva" watches were reimagined with gemstones and rebranded as "Malice Sparkling" and "Riva Sparkling." Drawing inspiration from the Spring-Summer 2002 Ready-to-Wear collection, Dior introduced the avant-garde "Dior 66" watch, which challenged conventional feminine aesthetics.
That same year, Slimane revamped the Dior Homme boutique at 30 Avenue Montaigne with a fresh masculine concept, attracting high-profile male clients including Brad Pitt and Mick Jagger. The men's fragrance "Higher" launched in 2001, followed by "Addict" in 2002. Milan welcomed its inaugural Dior Homme boutique on 20 February 2002; by this time, Dior maintained 130 retail outlets worldwide. In June 2002, Slimane earned the CFDA's "International Designer of the Year" accolade. After Kanebo's ready-to-wear license in Japan expired, Dior began directly marketing its collections profitably in that region. The "Chris 47 Steel" watch was released in 2003. Key store openings included flagship boutiques in Tokyo's Omotesandō (2003) and Ginza (2004), an exclusive Dior Homme location on Paris’s Rue Royale, a second Fine Jewelry boutique at Place Vendôme, and a Christian Dior boutique in Moscow following a takeover of local licensing operations.
Victoire de Castellane, Dior Fine Jewelry’s designer, expanded into watchmaking with the "Le D de Dior" collection, incorporating masculine design cues for women. Slimane introduced the Dior Homme "Chiffre Rouge" watch line, highlighting technical precision alongside artistic creativity. De Castellane also debuted a more delicate series called "La Baby de Dior."
In 2005, Dior launched fragrances including "Miss Dior Chérie" and "Dior Homme." Galliano presented the innovative "Dior Christal" watch collection that combined steel with blue sapphires. This year also marked the 13th anniversary of Dior Watches and celebrated Christian Dior’s centenary with an exhibition at Granville museum.
In 2006, Dior featured its Canework motif at its watch display booth—this pattern drew inspiration from Napoleon III chairs used during fashion shows.
By 2007, Kris Van Assche had assumed the role of artistic director for Dior Homme, debuting his first collection that year as the Maison commemorated its 60th anniversary.
In February 2011, Dior encountered a significant setback following allegations of antisemitic remarks against John Galliano, leading to his dismissal. The Fall-Winter 2011/2012 collection proceeded under interim designer Bill Gaytten but was met with largely unfavorable critiques. During this transitional phase, Dior’s aesthetic gradually shifted away from Galliano’s theatrical flair. The revamped dior.com website was launched late that year.
On 23 January 2012, Gaytten’s second haute couture collection showed signs of progress. Then on 11 April 2012, Belgian designer Raf Simons was appointed artistic director; known for his minimalist approach contrasting sharply with Galliano’s flamboyant style. LVMH executives aimed to redefine Dior’s identity beyond Galliano’s influence. Simons immersed himself deeply in the brand archives and haute couture tradition despite limited prior experience in these areas. His debut was set for July; meanwhile, Gaytten staged the first-ever Dior haute couture show in China (Shanghai) in April—a strategic move underscoring Dior’s commitment to the Chinese market.
On 3 May 2012, the promotional film Dior: Secret Garden — Versailles premiered during this period of transition. Simons revealed his inaugural Fall-Winter 2012 haute couture collection on 2 July, which was praised as “the new couture,” representing a fresh beginning aligned with Christian Dior’s original vision rather than Galliano’s legacy. The discreet presentation near the Arc de Triomphe attracted prominent industry figures such as Azzedine Alaïa, Pierre Cardin, Alber Elbaz, Diane von Fürstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Donatella Versace, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Marion Cotillard, Jennifer Lawrence, Sharon Stone, Harvey Weinstein, along with chairman Bernard Arnault and his daughter. The event featured live online streaming alongside real-time social media interaction. Earlier that year, Dior acquired Parisian embroidery house Maison Vermont to strengthen artisanal expertise.
In March 2014, Peter Philips succeeded Pat McGrath as creative and image director for Dior makeup. The following year in March 2015 saw singer Rihanna become Dior’s first black ambassador. Israeli model Sofia Mechetner was selected as a brand representative in 2015.
Maria Grazia Chiuri was named women’s artistic director in 2016. That April marked the inauguration of a new flagship store in San Francisco hosted by Jaime King. In 2017, Dior refurbished its Madrid boutique with a high-profile reopening attended by prominent Spanish celebrities.
In March 2018, Kim Jones took over as men’s artistic director. Under his guidance, Dior engaged in significant streetwear collaborations involving artists such as Brian Donnelly (KAWS), Raymond Pettibon and brands like 1017 ALYX 9SM and Stüssy.
In October 2019, Dior issued an apology to China after using a map that omitted Taiwan.
Francis Kurkdjian was appointed creative director of perfume in October 2021.
On 11 March 2022, after two years of renovation led by architect Peter Marino, the historic flagship store at 30 Avenue Montaigne reopened—reaffirming its status as Christian Dior’s original showcase venue.
In January 2023, Delphine Arnault assumed both chairperson and CEO positions at Dior.
In June 2024, Manufactures Dior SRL entered judicial administration proceedings in Italy amid accusations related to labor exploitation connected to subcontracting arrangements with Chinese companies.
Looking ahead to 2025, Jonathan Anderson was appointed Creative Director responsible for women’s, men’s and haute couture collections at Dior—succeeding Kim Jones and Maria Grazia Chiuri.
Fashion shows
| Fashion show | Date | Creative director |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2020 Ready-to-Wear | 20 January 2020 | Maria Grazia Chiuri |
| Pre-Fall 2020 | 11 December 2019 | |
| Spring 2017 Ready-to-Wear | 30 September 2016 | |
| Resort 2017 | 31 May 2016 | Serge Ruffieux & Lucie Meier |
| Fall 2016 Ready-to-Wear | 4 March 2016 | |
| Spring 2003 Couture | 19 January 2003 | John Galliano |
| Spring 2001 Ready-to-Wear | 2 October 2000 | |
| Fall 2000 Couture | 28 July 2000 | |
| Fall 2000 Ready-to-Wear | 28 February 2000 | |
| Spring 2000 Ready-to-Wear | 5 October 1999 | |
| Fall 1999 Couture | 19 July 1999 | |
| Spring 1998 Couture | 26 January 1998 |
Financial data
Dior compensates subcontractors with amounts as low as €53 for handbags that retail at prices reaching €2,600.
| Year | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 29,881 | 30,984 | 35,081 | 37,968 | 43,666 | 46,830 | 53,670 | 44,650 | 64,220 | 79,200 |
| Net Income | 3,926 | 3,883 | 6,165 | 4,164 | 5,753 | |||||
| Assets | 55,555 | 61,161 | 60,030 | 62,904 | 72,762 | |||||
| Employees | 2,535 | 2,780 | 3,033 | 3,100 | 3,800 |
2000s
Galliano's collection in 2000 that drew inspiration from the homeless community generated criticism but also heightened Dior's visibility.
2010s
At the start of 2011, designer John Galliano became embroiled in controversy after making antisemitic comments while intoxicated in Paris. Video evidence captured him uttering offensive remarks punishable by French law with up to six months imprisonment. On March 1, 2011, Christian Dior officially ended its contract with Galliano amid the backlash.
2017
Dior was accused in 2017 of cultural appropriation for reproducing a traditional Romanian vest from Bihor County in its pre-fall collection without acknowledgment. This provoked outrage in Romania and led to a campaign by fashion magazine Beau Monde. The initiative involved local artisans and designers creating an authentic Bihor Couture line that openly criticized Dior and marketed genuine handcrafted versions of the vest.
2022
In April 2022, Dior introduced a midi skirt during its Fall collection launch in Seoul. The design drew inspiration from school uniforms and paid tribute to Catherine Dior. Described on Dior’s website as "a hallmark Dior silhouette" with a refined contemporary twist, the skirt bore a strong resemblance to the traditional Chinese garment featuring overlapping panels and pleats. Enthusiasts of Hanfu noted parallels to the Ming dynasty mamianqun style, leading to allegations of cultural appropriation.
Amidst the controversy, Dior suspended sales of the skirt within Mainland China. On July 23, approximately fifty Chinese students demonstrated outside Dior’s Paris flagship store with slogans such as "Dior, Stop Cultural Appropriation," backed by the Communist Youth League of China. Counter-demonstrations by Chinese pro-democracy activists created tensions; media coverage focused predominantly on cultural appropriation claims rather than political issues. French outlets emphasized Dior’s insufficient transparency regarding the garment’s cultural roots as a significant concern.
Chinese social media users criticized Dior on platforms including Weibo, questioning the brand’s source of inspiration. One Instagram comment echoed public sentiment: "We welcome cultural references from our country; however, this does not justify appropriating our culture or denying that this skirt is Chinese!"
Later in July 2022, Dior faced further cultural appropriation accusations for incorporating a motif resembling traditional Chinese bird-and-flower paintings into its Autumn Winter ready-to-wear collection. Presented as Dior’s signature Jardin d'Hiver, inspired by Christian Dior’s wall murals, this motif closely mirrored the classic Chinese scholar-artist style painting dating back to the Tang dynasty.
2024
In June 2024, Italian regulators placed Manufactures Dior SRL, a subsidiary of Christian Dior Italia SRL, under judicial administration for a duration of one year due to substandard labor conditions within its supply chain. The inquiry revealed that four suppliers near Milan employed 32 workers under exploitative circumstances, including undocumented migrants. These workers faced unhygienic workplaces and insufficient safety protocols, while suppliers operated machinery continuously and deliberately disabled safety features to increase output.
In July 2024, the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) initiated an inquiry into Dior alongside other fashion brands to determine whether they had deceived consumers regarding their labor standards and supply chain oversight.
2025
In May 2025, Dior reported a cybersecurity breach that exposed personal customer information predominantly in China. The intrusion, detected on May 7, involved unauthorized access to a database containing customer names, contact information, and purchase records.
During July, Dior encountered backlash over a $200,000 coat from Jonathan Anderson’s inaugural collection incorporating mukaish, a traditional Indian embroidery technique. Critics pointed out the brand’s omission in acknowledging Indian artisans, paralleling controversies such as Prada’s use of Kolhapuri chappals. This reignited discussions about luxury brands appropriating traditional crafts without giving due credit.
By the close of 2010, the principal shareholder of Christian Dior S.A. was Groupe Arnault SAS, the family holding company of Bernard Arnault, which held 69.96% of Dior’s equity and controlled 82.86% of voting rights. The remaining shares constituted free float.
At the same time, Christian Dior S.A. possessed 42.36% of LVMH shares along with 59.01% of its voting power. Bernard Arnault personally owned an additional 5.28% of LVMH shares and 4.65% of voting rights. This LVMH stake was managed through Financière Jean Goujon, a wholly owned subsidiary of Christian Dior.
Creative directors
- Christian Dior – 1946–1957
- Yves Saint Laurent – 1957–1960
- Marc Bohan – 1960–1989
- Gianfranco Ferré – 1989–1997
- John Galliano – 1997–2011
- Bill Gaytten – 2011–2012
- Raf Simons (women's & haute couture) – 2012–2015
- Serge Ruffieux & Lucie Meier – 2015–2016
- Maria Grazia Chiuri (women's) – 2016–2025
- Hedi Slimane (men's) – 2000–2007
- Kris Van Assche (men's) – 2007–2018
- Kim Jones (men's) – 2018–2025
- Jonathan Anderson (women's, men's & haute couture) – 2025–present
Retail locations
As of April 2023, Dior maintains a global network of 535 retail outlets distributed as follows:
- Asia: 143
- Africa: 6
- Europe: 192
- Middle East: 45
- North America: 117
- Oceania: 10
- South America: 2
See also
Further reading
- Jackson, Lesley (1991). The New Look: Design in the Fifties. London: Thames & Hudson. .
External links
- Official Christian Dior retail site
- Christian Dior corporate portal
- Christian Dior SE –
- Christian Dior Couture –
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedInfogreffe - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedfinance - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named:6 - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs nameddirectors
- Articles with short description
- Pages with broken file links
- Dior
- French clothing brands
- French apparel companies
- Members of Comité Colbert
- Haute couture
- Luxury fashion labels
- Perfume manufacturers
- French watchmakers
- Paris-based manufacturers
- Apparel companies founded in 1946
- Design firms established in 1946
- French eyewear brands
- French enterprises founded in 1946
- Companies listed on Euronext Paris
- LVMH group brands
- Societas Europaea entities
- Clothing brands of France
- Pages with reference errors