THE NEW LOOK

During the war, Dior served in the French military, but after France fell to the Nazis in 1940, he returned to Paris and worked for the fashion house of Lucien Lelong. After the liberation of Paris in 1944, Dior founded his own fashion house, launching his first collection in 1947, which became known as the "New Look." That later revolutionised fashion with its emphasis on ultra-feminine silhouettes, featuring nipped-in waists, full skirts, and luxurious fabrics and symbolised a return to opulence and glamour after the austerity of wartime fashion. 

On the other hand, during the early years of World War II, Chanel faced controversy due to her relationship with a German officer, Hans Gunther von Dinklage, which led to accusations of collaboration with the Nazis. In 1944, Chanel closed her couture house and retreated to Switzerland, where she lived until 1954. After the war, Chanel faced challenges in rebuilding her brand and reputation. She returned to Paris in the mid-1950s and reopened her couture house. Chanel's comeback was marked by the introduction of her iconic Chanel suit and the reimagining of her classic designs, including the Chanel No. 5 perfume. Despite the controversies surrounding her actions during the war, Chanel's influence and legacy in fashion remained significant, and she regained her status as one of the most influential designers of the 20th century.

The Influence On Today's Fashion Era

The vision and the innovation create a century-lasting impression on the designs.

Christian Dior's talented and unique imagination has sown the seed of a consistently growing revival of fashion. Dior is known for detailed attention to designs that reflect excellent commitment to discerning consumers. The ultra-feminine and romantic aesthetic is one of the pillars of the brand identity. Furthermore, iconic pieces such as the Lady Dior bag and J'adior slingback pumps complement Dior's clothing collections, embodying the brand's everlasting sophistication and refinement.

On the other hand, Channel had been recognised for her innovative dressing pattern for women at the beginning of 20th century for the first time. In addition, after World War 2, despite rivalry with Dior, her designs were still alive for the modern world, and were embraced by the fashion world for persistent and timeless elegance. Chanel is famous for its use of tweed fabric, which is often incorporated into its signature suits and jackets. The classic Chanel tweed suit, featuring a boxy jacket and skirt, is an iconic emblem of the brand's elegant and refined style.

To sum up, two of the world's leading fashion icons, Dior and Chanel, share a commonality. They are not merely clothing brands; rather, they transcend fashion to become forms of art.

Disclaimer : ‘The New Look’ is the television series released on February 14, 2024 in USA.

The story of the series is how fashion icon Christian Dior and his contemporaries, including Coco Chanel, navigate the horrors of World War II and launch modern fashion.