Key Designers of the period
Christian Dior (1905-1957)
Biography
1937 - Works as an assistant designer for Piguet
1941 - Works as a
1941 - designer for Lelong
1947 - Maison Dior opens
1947 - Awarded the Neiman-Marcus Award
1947 - unveils the New Look
1956 - Awarded the Parsons Medal for Distinguished Achievement
More info
D de Marly Christian Dior, Holmes & Meier, 1990
M-F Pochna Dior, Editions Assouline, 2005
E de Rethy & J-L Perreau Christian Dior: the early years 1947-1957, Thames & Hudson, 2001
Christobal Balenciaga (1895-1972)
Biography
1915 - Established his own tailoring business
1937 - Couture house opens
More info
P Golbin Balenciaga: Paris, Thames & Hudson, 2006
L E Miller Christobal Balenciaga, Holmes & Meier, 1993
M Walker Balenciaga and his Legacy, Yale, 2006
Emilio Pucci (1914 - 1992)
Biography
1934 - Member of the Italian Olympic Ski team - he designed the uniforms
1937 - Moves to the US to study for a Masters Degree in Social Sciences
1941 - Awarded a doctorate in Political Science from the University of Florence
1947 - Approached by Harpers Bazaar to create a women's winter wear collection
1949 - Opens a boutique in Capri - introduces 'Capri' pants
1951 - First Fashion show in Florence of sports and daywear in silk jersey
1962 - First haute couture collection
1977 - Designs the Lincoln Continental Mark IV for Ford
More info
Hubert de Givenchy ( 1927-)
Biography
1945 - Works for Jacques Fath in Paris
1946 - Works for Lucien Lelong
1947 - Works for Elsa Schiaparelli
1952 - Opens House of Givenchy
1952 - Starts to dress Hollywood movie stars, including Audrey Hepburn (most famously in Breakfast at Tiffany's, 1961)
1955 - Introduced separates and Orlon fabric to haute-couture
More info
Lynam, Ruth, ed., Paris Fashion: The Great Designers and Their Creations, London, 1972.
Fashion Institute of Technology, Givenchy: 30 Years [exhibition catalogue], New York, 1982.
Milbank, Caroline Rennolds, Couture: The Great Designers, New York, 1985.
Leese, Elizabeth, Costume Design in the Movies, New York, 1991.
Givenchy: 40 Years of Creation [exhibition catalogue], with texts by Catherine Join-Dieterle, Susan Train and Marie-Jose Lepicard, Paris, 1991.
Martin, Richard, and Harold Koda, Bloom, New York, 1995.
Mainiece, Violeta, Apropos Givenchy, Paris, 1998.
Mohry, Françoise, The Givenchy Style, Paris, 1998.
