VIBE

When Christian Dior burst onto the fashion scene in 1947 with his innovative “New Look” collection (all about the tiny waist, curvaceous silhouette, and extravagant skirt), he set the “it” style for more than a decade to come and put Paris squarely back at the center of the global fashion map. Perhaps no label could ever replicate the smash hit success of the “New Look,” but the house of Dior has certainly managed to remain a powerhouse in the couture world with its signature feminine silhouettes. The three-story Dior flagship is housed in the same elegant Haussmannian mansion where Dior launched his collection all those decades ago.

USE A PURCHASE FROM HERE FOR

Evening wear; stylish accessories

WHY WE LIKE IT

One of our top picks when we need a red-carpet-worthy getup. And their signature quilted leather accessories always make us feel like just the little lady. Even if we’re not here to make any splurges, though, just touring the classic property is fun.

GOOD TO KNOW

After Dior passed away in 1957, it was his up-and-coming apprentice Yves Saint Laurent (you may have heard of him…) who stepped in as creative director. One for the film buffs: Dior’s dresses were ultra popular with the glam 1950s Hollywood set (Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner were among his fans), and Dior personally designed all of Marlene Dietrich’s dresses for the Hitchcock film Stage Fright.

OTHER LOCATIONS

8th Arr. - Rue Royal (Paris); Cannes; Courcheval; Lille; Lyon; Nice; St. Tropez

CLOSEST COMPS

Chanel (Paris); Yves Saint Laurent (Paris)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to Paris