Dior
Dior in short
Dior is a Parisian fashion house founded by Christian Dior in 1946, achieving international acclaim in 1947 with the 'New Look'. Part of LVMH, the maison is celebrated for haute couture, iconic handbags such as the Lady Dior, Saddle, and Book Tote, and renowned perfumes including J'adore, Miss Dior, and Sauvage.
Facts and background
| Topic | Overview |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1946, Paris |
| Founder | Christian Dior |
| Parent company | LVMH |
| Known for | New Look, Lady Dior, Saddle, Book Tote, J'adore, Sauvage |
| Signatures | Cannage quilting, tailored Bar jacket, Oblique canvas |
With his February 1947 collection – swiftly coined the 'New Look' – Christian Dior defined the silhouette of post-war fashion: nipped-in waists, soft shoulders, and voluminous skirts. Following his death in 1957, design luminaries such as Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons, and Maria Grazia Chiuri took the creative helm. In 2025, Jonathan Anderson was appointed creative director. Fragrance has been an essential cornerstone of the house since 1947, beginning with Miss Dior.
Where to begin with Dior?
- An iconic couture-level handbag — Lady Dior: structured silhouette, cannage quilting, and polished D.I.O.R. charms.
- Bold and Y2K-inspired — Saddle: the distinctive curved equestrian shape accented with CD hardware.
- Spacious embroidered shopper — Book Tote: crafted in embroidered canvas, with personalisation options for bespoke initials.
- An accessible introduction to the house — fragrance, beauty, or small leather goods.
- Menswear — Dior Men, distinguished by the graphic Oblique motif and impeccable tailoring.
Dior fragrance: the most iconic scents
For many, fragrance serves as the initial introduction to Dior.
- Miss Dior — the maison's debut fragrance (1947); contemporary variations are soft, romantic florals.
- J'adore — (1999) an opulent floral bouquet, recognized as one of the world's premier women's perfumes.
- Sauvage — (2015) a crisp, spicy fragrance and one of the global bestsellers in men's perfumery.
- Dior Homme and the Maison Christian Dior private collection for those seeking a more distinctive scent signature.
Read also Choosing a Dior perfume.
Shopping Dior in the Netherlands
Dior retails directly through its standalone boutiques and official e-commerce store. Fragrance and beauty products are also available across the Netherlands at premium department stores and perfumeries. New handbags must be purchased directly from Dior; for pre-owned pieces, it is advisable to select reputable retailers that guarantee authenticity in writing.
Explore more on Brands.nl
- Louis Vuitton — Sister maison within LVMH, celebrated for its signature monogram.
- Hermès — Understated luxury and peerless leather artisanship.
- Balenciaga — Parisian avant-garde providing an edgy contrast to Dior.
- Sandro — Parisian refinement at an accessible contemporary level.
- Maje — Feminine Parisian style with effortless flair.
- Karl Lagerfeld — Parisian heritage infused with sharp, graphic design.
View all brands, try the Brand Finder, or explore our brand guides.
Also comparable: Cartier
Looking for a similar tier of prestige? Read our brand guide on Cartier: Cartier is far more than a jeweller; it is an enduring emblem of timeless French luxury and sophisticated design.
Frequently asked questions about Dior
- Who owns Dior?
- Dior is part of LVMH, the French luxury group headed by Bernard Arnault, which also counts Louis Vuitton among its houses.
- Why is the Lady Dior named after Princess Diana?
- The bag was christened Lady Dior after Princess Diana wore it repeatedly in 1995, having received it as a diplomatic gift from the French First Lady.
- What is Dior's most famous fragrance?
- J'adore for women and Sauvage for men are among the house's most celebrated creations, while Miss Dior was the maison's historic first scent.
- What is Dior's New Look?
- The term used for Christian Dior's debut 1947 collection: defined by cinched waists, rounded shoulders, and generous full skirts, marking a dramatic shift away from wartime austerity.
- Is Dior more expensive than Louis Vuitton?
- In leather goods, both sit within a comparable ultra-luxury tier, depending on the model and finish. Dior beauty and fragrances offer a significantly more accessible entry point to the brand.
- Where can you buy Dior in the Netherlands?
- Ready-to-wear and handbags are available through Dior boutiques and its official website; beauty and fragrances are also distributed via select department stores and perfumeries.
Geschreven door
Brands.nl editorial team
Brand editors — interior, fashion & lifestyle
Brands.nl is an independent Dutch brand guide that sells nothing itself. Our editors follow brands, materials and collections and describe them independently, so you know what you are buying and can find similar brands.
Onafhankelijk samengesteld: Brands.nl verkoopt zelf niets en baseert zich op merkdocumentatie, andere openbare bronnen en waar mogelijk eigen ervaring.
Laatst inhoudelijk gecontroleerd: 5 oktober 2026