Perfume was, according to Christian Dior, the “finishing touch” of a dress, the essential complement to his luxurious designs.  His childhood friend Serge Heftler-Louiche was charged with launching the House of Dior’s first fragrance.  Miss Dior made its debut at the same time as the New Look, becoming the ultimate couture scent.  Its extremely original composition was based on a chypre harmony with green floral notes.  Despite the hardships of the post-war years, Christian Dior insisted on the most noble materials for his fragrances (crystal, gold and deluxe gift boxes), establishing them in the tradition of fine perfumery.

Miss Dior, Diorama, Eau Fraîche and Diorissimo accompanied the presentations of Dior’s haute couture collections.  More than a litre of pure fragrance was sprayed every week in the palatial salons of 30, avenue Montaigne.  Only the most select retailers (luxury Paris hotels, high-class perfumeries) were allowed to sell Dior fragrances.  To conjure an image of elegance and refinement, Christian Dior commissioned René Gruau to illustrate each of his scents, with instant success both in France and abroad.  Fragrance became so important that Christian Dior declared he considered himself to be “as much a perfumer as a couturier”.

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