Fashion History 101 | Chanel vs. Dior — That Chic Happens (2024)

Did you know that Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel didn’t like Christian Dior? I discovered this rivalry while conducting research for a trend forecast report. I became so fascinated by both Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel and Christian Dior that I had to share their stories (and “beef”) with you!

For a quick backstory, Chanel had a turbulent upbringing and would come to live in a convent where she learned how to sew through the help of nuns. Her jersey dresses and cardigan suits in the 1920s coincided with women’s right to vote in the US and cemented the freedom of women from restrictive styles of previous eras. Garments such as corsets, the bustle, and crinoline had no place in Chanel’s atelier. Chanel viewed her styles as empowering, especially those that borrowed from menswear. She was also the first designer to interest women in knitted pullover sweaters about the time of World War I. She continued to be the leading Parisienne fashion designer well into the 1930s but closed her store during World War II and ceased operations until 1954. (Some viewed her comeback from retirement as a diss to Christian Dior, more on that in a bit!)

Fun fact: During WWII, all resources were rationed, especially fabric. Everyone, including women, had to be pragmatic with what they used and how they used it. Rationing led to hosiery becoming unavailable and women painting seams on their legs with gravy to mimic the legwear look of the day!

During this time, Christian Dior was serving as an officer in the French army but was dreaming of the confections that would catapult him to the forefront of the fashion industry, especially couture. Dior was the second of five children and lost his mother and older brother at a young age. He compromised on his art and design dreams for the sake of his family and would graduate with a degree in Political Science from the École des Sciences Politiques to appease his disapproving father. When France surrendered to Germany in 1940, Dior headed back to Paris and worked for couturier Lucien Lelong before branching out on his own. With financial backing, Dior was able to create his designs. Heavily influenced by the women around him, especially his sister Catherine, with whom the “Miss. Dior” fragrances are named after. Dior found instantaneous success with his first couture collection in Paris. His Spring 1947 collection became known as “The New Look.” His designs of the late 40s and early 50s have been described as romantic and were seen at the time as a return to luxurious fashions of the past. Dior used the emphasis on soft curves and shapes which required women to return to more confining underclothing than had been seen since before 1920.

Chanel detested Dior. She has been quoted as saying: “Look how ridiculous these women are, wearing clothes by a man who doesn’t know women, never had one and dreams of being one.” She didn’t stop there, either. At various points she was quoted as saying, “Dior doesn't dress women. He upholsters them.” and that a woman sitting down in a Dior dress looked like ‘an old armchair.’ She also accused Dior of dragging women back to 19th-century ideals of femininity – that women were objects to be admired by men. While Chanel did have a point, as we can associate the new look’s evolution parallel to women’s places “in the home,” it seems more of a competitive remark and personal dig at a male designer who was being ushered into the ranks of Paris couture. Dior’s “New Look” collection returned Parisian couture to the forefront of the fashion industry since WWII. We brought up earlier that Chanel came back to fashion in 1954 and that some viewed it as a personal dig at Dior. While Chanel did not like the designs of Dior or his male contemporaries, Chanel’s goal was to not make women feel as if their dress was a disguise, but rather comfortable and timeless. Chanel would not win the competition during the early 1950s but she would re-establish herself later on in the decade and well into the 1960s when her Chanel suit became the quintessential silhouette and must-have fashion look. She was finally able to shed her “1920s skin.” Dior, unfortunately, passed away in 1957 but his legacy endures and is still one of the most celebrated haute couture designers of all time.

What do you think of the Chanel and Dior rivalry? Follow me to learn more about fashion history!

Bisous,

Victoria+Alpha

Works Cited

Baker, Lindsay. “The formidable women behind the legendary Christian Dior.”

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20190129-the-formidable-women-behind-the-legendary-christian-dior.

BBC, January 29, 2019.

George, Christina. “Critics Scoffed but Women Bought: Coco Chanel’s Comeback Fashions Reflect the Desires of the 1950’s American Woman.”

https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1048&context=forum.

Cal Poly, February 07, 2022.

Kingandallen.com Staff. “Dior vs. Chanel: One of Fashion’s Great Rivalries.”

https://kingandallen.co.uk/journal/2019/dior-vs-chanel-one-of-fashions-great-rivalries/.

King and Allen, February 07, 2022.

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Fashion History 101 | Chanel vs. Dior — That Chic Happens (2024)

FAQs

How did Dior change the fashion industry? ›

Christian Dior's reputation as one of the most important couturiers of the twentieth century was launched in 1947 with his very first collection, in which he introduced the “New Look.” Featuring rounded shoulders, a cinched waist, and very full skirt, the New Look celebrated ultra-femininity and opulence in women's ...

What did Coco Chanel say about Dior? ›

At various points she was quoted as saying, “Dior doesn't dress women. He upholsters them.” and that a woman sitting down in a Dior dress looked like 'an old armchair'. And she accused him of dragging women back to 19th century ideals of femininity – that women were objects to be admired by men.

What is Dior most famous item? ›

1. Lady Dior Bag. This list isn't complete without Dior's most famous handbags, Lady Dior. Crafted in 1994, it was first named “Chouchu” or “Favorite”.

Who is Chanel's biggest rival? ›

Discover Italian Designer Elsa Schiaparelli, the Greatest Rival of Coco Chanel. Hailed as the mother of surrealism in fashion, Elsa Schiaparelli transformed the way women dress. She is considered one of the most imaginative, bold, and innovative fashion designers in the world.

What makes Dior different from other brands? ›

Luxurious Craftsmanship: Each of Dior's collections evoke sensuality through their intricate embroidery and signature motifs. The construction of the house's garments consists of a concealed craft that only a skilled couture atelier at their peak can achieve.

How has Dior impacted the world? ›

Being the most influential fashion designer of the late 1940s and 1950s, Christian Dior influenced fashion after World War II with the gorgeous silhouette of his voluptuous New Look. He was so famous in France at the time that it seemed as if he wasn't a man but an institution.

What did Marilyn Monroe say about Chanel? ›

When asked what she wore to bed, Marilyn Monroe famously replied, “I only wear Chanel No. 5.” The quote originates from a retelling by Monroe to Life Magazine in April 1952.

What is Coco Chanel's most famous quote? ›

Coco Chanel's quips encapsulated love, fashion, beauty and wealth, and remain as meaningful today as they did a century ago. We take a look at her most famous, enduring words of wisdom... "Fashion fades, only style remains."

What is Dior's aesthetic? ›

Dior's look was romantic, lavish, elaborate, feminine, and harked back to an earlier Belle Epoque silhouette.

Who wears Dior most? ›

As faces of the brand, Natalie Portman, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lawrence and Marion Cotillard owe many of their most memorable fashion moments to Dior - taking their pick from its couture rails or slipping into bespoke designs.

What color is Dior known for? ›

Dior loved color. His favorite colors were rose, pale gray, and also pale blue in the manner of the eighteenth century—the typical colors of Louis XVI and the time of the Le Petit Trianon.

What makes Dior special? ›

Why is Dior so famous? Christian Dior, more commonly known as Dior, is a luxury goods company famed for revolutionizing the women's fashion industry. The brand has been cited as the catalyst for Paris' revival as the fashion capital of the world after it fell from its prominent position after WWII.

Is Dior or Chanel more popular? ›

Dior continues its steady ascent. The top 5 brands alone capture 56% of the affluent consumers' attention online.
...
The top 15 most popular luxury brands online.
RankBrandIndustry
1GucciFashion
2DiorFashion
3ChanelFashion
4Louis VuittonFashion
11 more rows

Is Dior more expensive than Chanel? ›

1. Price range. Dior and Chanel handbags of any style are known to have a high price tag, but after some recent price increases, Chanel bags have become much more expensive than Dior.

Who is Chanel's target audience? ›

Demographic: Middle-age 18-50, annual income level of $100,000 or higher. Variables such as age and income level are important because they are easily indentifiable and linked to one another. Psychographic: Self-concept: see themselves as affluent individuals; Chanel is a fashion commodity that represents status.

Who is Dior's main competitors? ›

Christian Dior's competitors and similar companies include CHANEL, Armani, Gucci, LVMH and Burberry.

What does Dior stand for? ›

Origin:French. Meaning:golden. Dior is a gender-neutral name of French origin with rich ties to the fashion elite. Related to the surname D'Or, meaning "golden," its most famous wearer is, of course, Christian Dior.

What is Dior unique selling point? ›

Dior uses both a unique selling proposition (USP) where it convinces its clients that the quality of its products is superior to that of competitors and an emotional selling proposition (ESP) as a way of promoting impulse buying.

What is the design philosophy of Dior? ›

The iconic expression of femininity is Dior's core design philosophy that began when the woman image of a new era was presented through a new look, and Dior's femininity means a woman that reflects the character of the times as is interpreted as her own personality from the perspective of modernism through the creative ...

What is the importance of fashion history? ›

Fashion history is important because it is a visual marker of societal changes. In ancient Rome and Egypt, clothing was used strictly as a status symbol. In 1890, the French started the iconic fashion trend of haute couture. Many women began wearing androgynous flapper style clothing in the 1920s.

What perfume did Marilyn Monroe wear to bed? ›

Monroe was recounting an anecdote for Time magazine in which she said she was constantly asked what she wore to bed. In response, she answered “Chanel No. 5.” The iconic perfume has been around since 1921, if you can believe it.

What was Marilyn Monroe's biggest fear? ›

Marilyn was devastated. One of her greatest fears—that of disappointing those she loved—had come true. His betrayal confirmed what she'd “always been deeply terrified” of: “To really be someone's wife since I know from life one cannot love another, ever, really,” as she wrote in another “Record” journal entry.

What did Marilyn Monroe wear in bed? ›

Monroe famously didn't wear clothes to bed, stating that pyjamas and “creepy nightgowns” disturbed her sleep. What she did wear, however, was five drops of Chanel No. 5, a perfume that she is also said to have added into her ice baths.

What are 5 famous quotes? ›

Quotes by Famous People
  • The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - ...
  • The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. - ...
  • Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. ...
  • If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor. -
Jan 2, 2023

What is classic Chanel quote? ›

"A woman can be overdressed but never over elegant." "A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future." "You can be gorgeous at thirty, charming at forty, and irresistible for the rest of your life." "I only drink Champagne on two occasions, when I am in love and when I am not."

What is Audrey Hepburn's most famous quote? ›

Nothing is impossible; the word itself says 'I'm possible! '

What is Dior's slogan? ›

OUR MISSION: to leave a legacy of beauty and be fully committed | DIOR.

Is Dior a feminine brand? ›

Dior, a brand rooted in history and just as luxurious as it sounds. An internationally renowned brand since 1946, the French fashion house acclaimed for its elegance and timeless femininity.

What is the Dior New Look controversy? ›

The “New Look” received critique from the emerging movement for women's liberation in the United States, with women picketing fashion shows with placards brandishing the slogan “Burn Mr Dior”; for such women, the tight waists and emphasised busts of the “New Look” were a demonstration of the objectification of women ...

Who is the face of Dior 2023? ›

Robert Pattinson Is The Face Of Dior Men's Spring 2023 Campaign by Rafael Pavarotti.

What actress is the face of Dior? ›

Charlize Theron Is Officially The Face Of Dior's New Fragrance: J'Adore Parfum D'eau.

Who is the female face of Dior? ›

In July 2015, at the age 14, she was chosen to be the face of Dior.
...
Sofia Mechetner
BornSofia Mechetner 4 December 2000 Holon, Israel
NationalityIsraeli
OccupationModel
Years active2015–current
6 more rows

What is the Dior pattern called? ›

The oblique pattern, named after Christian Dior's fall/winter collection 1950/ 51, was revealed to the general public in 1969. The first time the print appeared on the runway was on a bag from the Haute Couture collection. The print then decorated most of the house's luggage collection in 1971.

Why is Dior logo a bee? ›

The bee is a long-standing symbol of Dior, inspired by Christian Dior's image of his fashion house as a bustling hive of activity.

Why is it called Dior? ›

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.

What are the brand values of Dior? ›

“Our Maison reinvents the inestimable heritage and savoir-faire inspired by Monsieur Dior, a dream that embodies Parisian haute couture. We share this dream with our customers around the world through our values of excellence, innovation and bold creativity.”

What is Dior fashion characteristics? ›

Dior was known for his extravagance in women's wear in a post-war time when women had been used to shorter and boxier skirts, which had their roots in the war-time rationing of fabric. His "New Look," as it became known, was unapologetically feminine with skirts long, gown-like and opulent.

Who is brand ambassador of Dior? ›

The new Dior global ambassador for both Fashion and Beauty, @Sooyaaa__ – a member of the girl group @BLACKPINKOfficial – dall. as3848 @sooyaaa__ X @dior magazine when?

Is Dior higher than Gucci? ›

Christian Dior's brand is ranked #- in the list of Global Top 1000 Brands, as rated by customers of Christian Dior. Their current valuation is $108.46B. Gucci's brand is ranked #52 in the list of Global Top 100 Brands, as rated by customers of Gucci.
...
Christian Dior vs Gucci.
59%Promoters
18%Passive
23%Detractors

What is the number 1 luxury clothing brand? ›

The annual report on the most valuable and strongest luxury & premium brands Ranking
20222021Name
11Porsche
23Louis Vuitton
32GUCCI
44Chanel
21 more rows

Do Dior bags hold their value? ›

Buying a Dior Lady

Lady Dior bags don't hold their value very well so they sell for great prices on the secondhand market.

Which is cheaper Dior or LV? ›

While the product costs vary, Dior has more expensive product categories than Louis Vuitton.

Which is the most expensive brand in the world? ›

LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy) was the most valuable luxury brand in the world, with a brand value of about 124.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2022.
...
CharacteristicBrand value in million U.S. dollars
--
9 more rows
Dec 5, 2022

Who is Chanel's biggest competitors? ›

CHANEL competitors include LVMH, Gucci, L'Oréal USA, Harry Winston and Burberry. CHANEL ranks 1st in CEO Score on Comparably vs its competitors.

What is Chanel's best seller? ›

CHANEL Best Selling Beauty & Cosmetics
  • CHANEL COCO MADEMOISELLE Parfum 0.25 oz. ...
  • CHANEL COCO MADEMOISELLE Eau de Parfum Spray. ...
  • CHANEL STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF Long-Lasting Eyeliner. ...
  • CHANEL LES BEIGES Healthy Glow Foundation Hydration and Longwear. ...
  • CHANEL LE VOLUME DE CHANEL Mascara. ...
  • CHANEL N°5 Eau de Parfum Spray.

What is Dior target market age? ›

dior.com Audience Demographics

Audience composition can reveal a site's current market share across various audiences. dior.com's audience is 37.81% male and 62.19% female. The largest age group of visitors are 25 - 34 year olds (Desktop).

What made Dior successful? ›

Customers buy Dior couture for its use of elaborate techniques, high quality fabrics, detailed design, and professional craftsmanship. They value the work that was put into the final product itself.

What makes Dior successful? ›

Why is Dior so famous? Christian Dior, more commonly known as Dior, is a luxury goods company famed for revolutionizing the women's fashion industry. The brand has been cited as the catalyst for Paris' revival as the fashion capital of the world after it fell from its prominent position after WWII.

How did Dior become so successful? ›

With his debut haute couture show in 1947, Christian Dior achieved the twin feats of single-handedly redefining women's style after years of war and restraint and re-establishing Paris as the center of the fashion universe. Needless to say, he was an overnight sensation.

What are the achievements of Dior? ›

French fashion designer Christian Dior dominated world fashion in the decade following World War II. Among his accomplishments, he built the first international fashion empire of licensed accessories. His innovations included the New Look, built-in corseting, and geometric silhouettes.

What does Dior mean in English? ›

Meaning:golden. Dior is a gender-neutral name of French origin with rich ties to the fashion elite. Related to the surname D'Or, meaning "golden," its most famous wearer is, of course, Christian Dior. Truly a name to inspire baby to be a trendsetter or, at the very least, aspire to the finer things in life.

What is the core values of Dior? ›

“Our Maison reinvents the inestimable heritage and savoir-faire inspired by Monsieur Dior, a dream that embodies Parisian haute couture. We share this dream with our customers around the world through our values of excellence, innovation and bold creativity.”

What is Dior slogan? ›

OUR MISSION: to leave a legacy of beauty and be fully committed | DIOR.

Who is Dior competitor? ›

dior.com's top 5 competitors in December 2022 are: gucci.com, ysl.com, prada.com, chanel.com, and more.

What is Dior's growth strategy? ›

The Group's strategy will remain focused on continuously strengthening the desirability of its brands, by relying on the authenticity and quality of its products, the excellence of their distribution and the reactivity of its organization.

What is Dior's marketing strategy? ›

Unlike marketing that can be used for other brands, marketing for luxury brands is focused on a specific audience. And the principal value is exclusivity. This type of marketing strategy is well known to Dior, one of the most influential brands in the world.

Who is the top designer at Dior? ›

Maria Grazia Chiuri (Italian pronunciation: [maˈriːa ˈgrattsja ˈkjuːri]; born February 2, 1964) is an Italian fashion designer. After stints working at Fendi and Valentino, Chiuri was named creative director at Dior.

What does Dior brand represent? ›

Although DIOR as a brand is strongly associated with prestige, glamor and wealth, the DIOR logo is a simple, rather minimalist word mark used in one solid color. The contrast between the rich values of the brand and its logo is a striking visual reflection of the iconic heritage of the luxury brand.

Who is the main ambassador of Dior? ›

PARIS: French fashion house Dior on Monday named K-pop star Jimin a global brand ambassador, broadcasting the tie-up on social networks with images of the BTS singer in sporty looks with an outdoor flair, designed by Kim Jones.

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