"Women are most fascinating between the ages of 35 and 40, after they have won a few races and know how to pace themselves. Since few women ever pass forty, maximum fascination can continue indefinitely." ~ Christian Dior
A man who truly understood women, renown fashion designer Christian Dior (1905-1957) was born on this day in Normandy, France. He trained in political science to become a diplomat, then sold fashion sketches to newspapers before designing his own clothes in 1935.
Of his desire to make all women look beautiful he explained, "My dream is to save them from nature."
In 1945, Dior founded his own company, Paris' House of Dior and achieved international fame as the creator of the "New Look," which featured a cinched waist and long, flared skirt with yards of luxurious fabric. The feminine style lavishly celebrated the liberation of culture and ideas following World War II.
"A dress," he observed, "is a piece of ephemeral architecture, designed to enhance the proportions of the female body."
The talented designer built a modern fashion empire. He created the perfume Miss Dior for his sister in 1947 and was also the first to carefully license his cosmetics and accessories.
About his passionate secret to life, he said, "Zest is the secret of all beauty. There is no beauty that is attractive without zest."
Maximum fascination continues throughout life.