Book Review: Dior

There have been many books covering the works of the House of Dior, but Dior by Farid Chanoune is my favorite. The text provides a basic history of the design house and the many designers who have made it a fashion icon.  What makes this book my favorite of all the Dior books is the photography (by Laziz Hamani).  The gowns and dresses are from museum and Dior house collections, many not having been unwrapped in decades.  The photography is dramatic (as are the clothes) and very detailed. One of my favorite images is a black dress against a black background; amazingly you are left, not with an impression of darkness, but of lush textures and rich fabrics.  The downside of the book is that there are few close-up or internal images of the clothing. When you do get a peek inside a dress, the detail interior work is as beautiful (if not more) than that on the exterior.  A fantastic resource for anyone loving quality clothes, classic fashions and extraordinary ballgowns.