Title
DIOR GLAMOUR: 1952 - 1962Publisher
Rizzoli New YorkFormat
Hardcover / 11” x 14” / 240 pages / 140 colour and B&W photographsISBN
978-0-8478-4185-1Price
$115.00 U.S.Detailed Information | |||||
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Title | DIOR GLAMOUR: 1952 - 1962 | Posted in | Fashion, Book | Publisher | Rizzoli New York |
Format | Hardcover / 11” x 14” / 240 pages / 140 colour and B&W photographs | ISBN | 978-0-8478-4185-1 | Price | $115.00 U.S. |
Mark Shaw’s photographs fully capture the drama and elegance of the period as he enjoyed the privilege of being allowed backstage at Dior’s fashion shows. The Parisian fashion world in the 1950‘s was an exclusive, secretive environment: due to the fierce competition amongst fashion houses, designers were very protective of their designs – models were reportedly covered in white sheets when having to appear in public on their way to photo shootings so that the garments they wore weren’t seen and thereby copied. In earning Christian Dior’s trust, Shaw managed to document some rare behind-the-scenes moments of the famous couturier during fittings, as well as models, socialites and actresses posing in Dior’s creations in private settings.

Kouka modeling Bohan’s wedding dress in Dior’s Grand Salon. In her opinion, ''the fashion house was temple-like,'' a world of good taste and general excellence.
1961, Hyménée dress, Spring-Summer 1961 Haute Couture collection, Slim Look line.
photo © Mark Shaw.
A much sought-after photographer during his lifetime, Mark Shaw (1921-1969) is mainly known for his long collaboration with LIFE magazine, as well as for his iconic family photographs of the Kennedys, taken before and during John Kennedy’s presidency. He is considered to have revolutionised fashion photography, because of his wide takes which added context and character to the fashion and the subject he was shooting.
[YatzerTip] Many of the never before published images contained in Rizzoli’s ‘‘Dior Glamour: 1952-1962’’ are available from the online luxury marketplace 1stdibs.

Sophie Malgat - the wife of the film director Anatole ‘Tola’ Litvak—was one of the rare models who starred on the catwalk and had ''cover girl'' status in magazine editorials. ''Sophie knew how to move in clothes and how to pose,'' says Brigitte Tortet. ''She defined truly elegant.'' Shaw photographed her in the Jardin d’Hiver of Christian Dior’s hoÌtel particulier on boulevard Jules Sandeau in Paris’s 16th arrondissement.
1953, Evening dress, Autumn-Winter 1953 Haute Couture collection, Vivante line.
photo © Mark Shaw.

1958, Lola dress, Autumn-Winter 1958 Haute Couture collection, Courbe line.
photo © Mark Shaw.

1961, Jungle, Canada, and Amsterdam models, Autumn-Winter 1961 Haute Couture collection, Charme 62 line.
photo © Mark Shaw.

Two visions of ReneÌe, one of Christian Dior’s favorite models who represented his physical ideÌal. ''Every dress she puts on seems to be a success,'' he wrote in his memoirs. According to Victoire, ReneÌe’s proportions ''were so perfect that they were shop mannequin-like.''
1954, Gazette du bon ton dress, Autumn-Winter 1954 Haute Couture collection, H line.
photo © Mark Shaw.

Dior in-house model EugeÌnie Pompon wearing the Clorinde dress, Autumn-Winter 1954 Haute Couture collection, H line.
Book cover, © Mark Shaw, Rizzoli.