NEW BOOK ~ DIOR by JOHN GALLIANO
Dior by John Galliano is the new book of Dior’s anthology published by Assouline that takes the reader into a vibrant retrospective of the famed British designer during the period of time he was the Artistic Director of the French Couturier house.
Dedicated to John Galliano’s singular odyssey at Dior, this opus is the fifth volume in a new series of books that pay tribute to the House’s various artistic directors. By restyling codes and playing with references, the English designer invented a new, contemporary fashion, a convergence of his dreams and travels — either real or imagined — and Dior’s abundantly rich heritage.
Above: Model Kylie Bax wearing the Kamata ball gown, haute couture Spring-Summer 1997, photographed by Michael Thompson, Vogue Paris, March 1997. COPYRIGHT: © Michael Thompson/Trunk Archive
Throughout these pages, (re)discover his most emblematic looks, collection after collection, in photographs by Laziz Hamani interspersed with images by Richard Avedon, Peter Lindbergh and Paolo Roversi. Each piece seems to come to life through intense contrast, revealing to the reader its essence, reliefs and textures. It opens with a navy satin dress trimmed with lace made specially for Lady Diana, in 1996 – a prelude to an anthology of creations illustrating more than twenty-five haute couture collections, reflections of immeasurable ingenuity and the exceptional savoir-faire in the Dior ateliers.
Top left clockwise: Casque d’Or short evening dress in celadon taffeta with blue organza overlay and pink Valenciennes bouillonné, haute couture Autumn-Winter 1997, Histoire d’une Collection. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. COPYRIGHT: © Laziz Hamani, Detail of look 9, ensemble consisting of a jacket in red leather and a dress in ecru tulle, organdy and embroidered leather, haute couture Spring-Summer 2006. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. COPYRIGHT: © Laziz Hamani and bottom picture, Look 22, ensemble consisting of a coat in green brocade with mink collar and cuffs and a dress in blue satin embroidered with peacock feather motif, haute couture Autumn-Winter 2004. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. COPYRIGHT: © Laziz Hamani
Following the success of his own brand (founded in 1984,) he was appointed Creative Director of ready-to- wear and haute couture at Givenchy in 1995, before joining Dior in 1996 as Artistic Director of the women’s collections. There, he distinguished himself with his extravagant shows that combined eclectic historical and cultural inspirations – a global kaleidoscope of references and unbridled inventiveness, imbued with romanticism and history. The designer’s sensitivity for haute couture know-how and innate sense of the spectacular has garnered him a reputation as a master of the silhouette.
Top left clockwise: Dame Collet Monté long suit in black wool crepe and white organza, haute couture Autumn-Winter 1998, A Voyage on the Diorient Express. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. COPYRIGHT: © Laziz Hamani, Look 12, dress in hand-painted and embroidered silk organza, tulle and lace, haute couture Spring-Summer 2001. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. COPYRIGHT: © Laziz Hamani, Lu-Lee-San cocktail dress in gray gazar, haute couture Spring-Summer 2007. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. COPYRIGHT: © Laziz Hamani and Melody Woodin Inspired by Degas dress in peach duchesse satin and silk tulle with gold embroidery, haute couture Autumn-Winter 2007, Le Bal des Artistes. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. COPYRIGHT: © Laziz Hamani
Look 1, ensemble consisting of a jacket and a skirt embroidered all over with gold paillettes, haute couture Spring- Summer 2004. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. COPYRIGHT: © Laziz Hamani
“Fashion is above all an art of change”. – John Galliano
Above: Penélope Cruz wearing the Tatiana Usova Inspired by Velázquez coat, haute couture Autumn-Winter 2007, Le Bal des Artistes, photographed by Annie Leibovitz, Vogue US, December 2007. COPYRIGHT: © Annie Leibovitz/Trunk Archive
This book highlights the exceptional silhouettes that John Galliano created for Dior collection after collection from 1996 to 2011, through his most emblematic models. There, he distinguished himself with his extravagant shows that combined eclectic historical and cultural inspirations – a global kaleidoscope of references and unbridled inventiveness, imbued with romanticism and history. The designer’s sensitivity for haute couture know-how and innate sense of the spectacular has garnered him a reputation as a master of the silhouette.
Above: Look 1, dress in red satin embroidered with gold and silver beads and paillettes with rhinestone jewelry, haute couture Autumn-Winter 2004. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. COPYRIGHT: © Laziz Hamani, Detail of Look 1, COPYRIGHT: © Laziz Hamani.
From hypnotic Maasai-inspired pieces to sculptural pharaonic silhouettes, explore the countless inspirations and fabulous fascinations of John Galliano for Dior. Written by Andrew Bolton – curator in charge of the costume institute at the metropolitan museum of art – texts and “portraits of dresses” recount the story of a whimsical era marked by insatiable creativity and photography by Laziz Hamani. Other photographers are featured: Steven Meisel, Annie Leibovitz, Irving Penn and Paolo Roversi.
This fifth volume, published by Assouline has over 300 illustrations and is available also in French aside from English.
Top: Look 16, dress in blue moiré with black lace overlay embroidered with jet beads and trimmed with mink, haute couture Autumn-Winter 2004. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. COPYRIGHT: © Laziz Hamani. Bottom: Amber Valletta Inspired by Renoir, Anna Mikhaylik Inspired by Seurat and Viviane Orth Inspired by Manet ensembles, haute couture Autumn-Winter 2007, Le Bal des Artistes. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. COPYRIGHT: © Laziz Hamani.
