| The New Look TV series about Christian Dior |
Christian Dior in The New Look : My dear clients while visiting Paris are asking me about the TV series The New Look. So, the minimum I can do is starting to watch the series and writing an article about it. I am a Coco Chanel fan for many reasons and I discovered the famulous story of Christian Dior. I loved it ! Dior, the renowned French haute couture designer, left an indelible mark on the world of fashion with his iconic creations and visionary designs. Born on January 21, 1905, in Granville, France, Dior’s journey to becoming a fashion icon began with his artistic inclinations and a passion for design.
DIOR Paris Saint-Honoré boutique May 2024
The New Look TV series
Writer of the cult series “The Sopranos”, then showrunner of three seasons of “Bloodlines”, Todd Kessler talks to us about “The New Look” on Apple TV +, his new series which tells the story of the crossed paths of Christian Dior and Coco Chanel during The Second World War.
This fiction which takes place in Paris, under the Nazi occupation, returns to a key moment of the 20th century, when the French capital experienced a cultural renaissance thanks to its fashion icon, Christian Dior. While the latter gains notoriety thanks to his revolutionary style, the reign of Coco Chanel, until then considered the most famous designer in the world, is put in danger.
1947 Christian Dior New Look
Dior’s greatest accomplishment came in 1947 when he unveiled his revolutionary “New Look” collection, which marked a significant departure from the austerity of wartime fashion. The collection featured voluptuous silhouettes, cinched waists, and full skirts, exuding a sense of luxury, femininity, and elegance. This collection not only revitalized the fashion industry but also established Dior as a leading figure in haute couture.
Christian Dior New Look Private Tour
-
Musée Christian Dior in Granville
To provide a private tour guide in Paris about Christian Dior, one must visit the iconic locations associated with the designer’s legacy. The journey might begin at the Musée Christian Dior in Granville, Dior’s childhood home turned museum, offering insights into his early life and influences. Granville is about 3 hours by train from Paris and 4 hours drive from Paris.
Granville is a French commune in the Manche department in Normandy. It is a seaside and climatic resort in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel at the end of the Côte des Havres. Granville also used to be a cod fishing port. It is also the leading shellfish port in France. Due to the passage of the Olympic flame in Granville, the Christian Dior Museum is closed on May 31.
The perfume Miss Dior In 1947, Miss Dior was born from this crazy impulse, from this compelling desire to re-enchant the lives of women, to make them see the shimmering colors of love again. The perfume, from the green chypre family, is directly inspired by the gardens of the Granville house where the couturier spent his entire childhood.
-
Avenue Montaigne flagship store
Next, a visit to the Avenue Montaigne flagship store, where Dior’s timeless creations continue to mesmerize fashion enthusiasts, would be essential. Avenue Montaigne is an avenue located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, marking the limit of the “golden triangle”. After the Second World War, the establishment of Christian Dior led to the development of luxury retail on the avenue. You may look for a private luxury boutiques tour with a private driver.
-
Jardin des Tuileries
Finally, a stroll through the picturesque Jardin des Tuileries, where Dior often found inspiration for his designs. Immerse yourself in the world of Dior. The Tuileries Garden takes its name from the tile factories which stood on the spot where Queen Catherine de Medici had the Tuileries Palace built in 1564 (now disappeared).
The famous gardener of the king, André Le Nôtre, gave it its current appearance as a French garden from 1664. The garden, between the Louvre Museum and Place de la Concorde, is a place of walking and culture. You can admire the statues of Maillol rub shoulders with those of Rodin or Giacometti.
Coco Chanel in The New Look
The New Look is more interested in the psychology of two greatest French minds. It does mention much about the Christian Dior’s Bar suit and Gabrielle Chanel’s little black dress, the “Ford”. French actress Juliette Binoche slipped into the shoes of Gabrielle Chanel. Few have confronted the darkest and most discussed part of his life. This is the challenge that Juliette Binoche chose to take up.
After presenting the patriotic “blue-white-red” collection at the start of the war, Gabrielle Chanel decided to close her workshop on rue Cambon. She maintains her quarters in her luxurious suite at the Ritz, which has become one of the official residences of Nazi officers. The Ritz hotel located at 15 place Vendôme becomes the setting for a sulfurous affair with Hans Günther von Dincklage, a German embassy attaché and spy 13 years his junior.
Using her influence, Chanel pleads her case with the German authorities to recover ownership of her perfumes Number 5. She had transferred before the war to her associates, the Wertheimer brothers, Jewish industrialists who had taken refuge in the United States. Subsequently, Coco Chanel embarked on a new project, even crazier!
400 hotels under the Nazis control
Indeed, the Nazis chose the greatest hotels and palaces to establish themself in Paris. Le Meurice by the Louvre, Le Lutetia in Saint Germain, Le Crillon, Le Royal Monceau, le Georges 5, Le Raphael, and Le Majestic (now the Peninsula Palace hotel) for the high command of all France. These hotels have several exit doors in the event of attacks. Each room was equipped with a telephone. The Nazis chose the best hotels thanks to the Michelin guide. Have a tour about Paris under the Nazi occupation.
Coco and Christian Dior in The New Look
As for the TV series “The New Look,” it is offering a fabulous glimpse into Christian Dior’s life. We can acknowledge his immense contributions to fashion and his enduring influence on designers generations. Ultimately, “The New Look” offer an excellent entertainment value. The 10-episode series is inspired by true events, yes. Like with any historical drama, there are fictionalised accounts and scenes made for The New Look, but the history on which the story of the series is based is very much real.
Have a PARIS BY EMY bespoke private tour guide about Christian Dior and Coco Chanel in the New Look TV series.
Emy,