Dior Couture by Patrick Demarchelier

Posted on Nov 16, 2011 in Fashion

Darlings, when legendary fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier releases a book of his photographs of the very best of Dior Couture over the decades (entitled, quite sensibly, “Dior Couture”), and when we have the opportunity to present some of the images from said book, then it’s entirely appropriate – expected, even – to shut the hell up, save to add, “HERE’S your pretty for the day, kittens.”

Enjoy.

“Dior is one of the most revered names in fashion, the archetype of the Parisian couture house. Famous for launching the “New Look,” Christian Dior’s landmark first collection that marked a sea change in women’s dress after the Second World War, Dior is known today for its exquisite couture line of dramatic dresses.

This book comprises a portfolio of portraits of over one hundred incredible gowns from the entire era of Christian Dior haute couture, including dresses designed by Dior himself. All of the images were shot by Patrick Demarchelier, known for his exquisite fashion portraits that grace the pages of Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, and many other magazines. “

To be released December 2011.

Tags:

Anonymous

So beautiful. So many of the PR hopefuls should probably get this book so they can understand what “couture” is when asked to create.
http://twitter.com/essveeup Sarah Veenstra

Slide #5. O.M.F.G.
- Anonymous
  
  Ditto!
Anonymous

I am speechless.
Anonymous

Striking, every single image.
Anonymous

Ok, I’m buying the book.
Anonymous

Well, no way I’m commenting on THAT.
Anonymous

Just gorgeous, except for that third Tim Burtenesque one. I especially love the last one; the women are so like peacocks. Stunning.
margaret meyers

Beautiful, nutty and exciting. I love the navy blue suit with the outrageously beautiful blue hat. Is that felt or leather?
Azure Sky

What a tease!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=630191954 Adina Miller Holmes

Oh! Oh, my. So much beautiful, but that kimono-style jacket just made me gasp. Thank you for the daily pretty.
MilaXX

LOVE ♥ !
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1519952259 William Schendel

Just beautiful.
Anonymous

I worked with Demarchelier twice (in the early 90s) on commercial advertising shoots as a stylist and he’s a very hands-off, almost aloof photographer (unlike, say, Matthew Ralston or Albert Watson who I also worked with frequently). So while I often like his pictures, I tend to evaluate them in terms of what mood he’s engendered on set and not particularly how the models are specifically arranged. He does have a tendency to “go big” on shoots which was always fun. The food, the settings, the atmosphere – all were crafted to ensure you were always aware you were “doing something glamorous”, even if you were only shooting a catalogue for The Limited (in Paris, but still).
- Anonymous
  
  Wow. What an experience that must’ve been. You have led a most interesting life!
- http://profiles.google.com/sara.e.munoz Sara Munoz
  
  I love your stories
- Anonymous
  
  Thank-you for this. I love it when this blog feels like going to a dinner party with interesting guests who can tell a story.
Valerie Little

I’m loving that these models can do something other than stare into the camera lens with a slack-jawed,vacant look.
Anonymous

Oh, I need a dose of pretty after the day I have had. Thank you!
Anonymous

WANT.
http://stitchingincircles.etsy.com Tina

<3
Anonymous

Gasp. Sigh. Drool.
http://www.facebook.com/epfriedman Elana Friedman

look at those silly white girls in gorgeous gowns.
Anonymous

Oh god, that 2nd b&w shot with the houndstooth jacket…LOVE. That is how I would love to look every single day.

I love those last ball gowns, too. Didn’t Rhianna wear the one on the right?
- http://phantomminuet.blogspot.com/ MinAgain
  
  You and me, both.
Anonymous

I hope this book is reasonably priced…I’m pretty sure i NEED this for Christmas.
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3JSTXMWWVZN2QNP2UEKJMTWD7U Isabel
  
  $125.
  
  $68.94 at amazon
  - Anonymous
    
    ouch…
  - Anonymous
    
    Maybe NEXT Christmas…being a DVD and book hound, I am well-versed in these things going down in price once the new has worn off.
    
    Even the Amazon price is pretty tough…I’ll just continue to look at my ten-dollar McQueen paper dolls book until it gets closer to my level!
- Anonymous
  
  How many gifts, exactly, can I buy for myself this Christmas before I look greedy?
Anonymous

I’m getting so over all of the thinness and whiteness that I’m finding it difficult to care much about the clothing.
Anonymous

I love everything here. The peacock gown is gorgeous. The kimono top is fabulous, although I don’t understand the garters. But the look I love the most here is the skinny skirt and the houndstooth swing top. The gloves, the hat – total elegance.
- Anonymous
  
  Me too. For me, that is the absolute essence of Dior.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=583505025 Kelley Comfort

Stunning. It’s on my Christmas wish list now!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Mary-Elizabeth-Poytinger-Baumer/1516981341 Mary Elizabeth Poytinger Baume

the pretty overwhelms me. I love you boys!
Anonymous

I can’t look at Dior fashion and not think about Galliano. He actually besmirched the name of that fashion house to me. Sadface.
Anonymous

Day-um. That is some hard-core pretty. I think it qualifies as our pretty for the rest of the year, no? You must immediately restore some balance to the force by showing us more photos of Hilary Duff stuffed like a sausage into a mustard-colored dress.
Bethany Fairbrother

Love look 2! So classic Audre Hepburn.
Anonymous

Ridiculously beautiful. I recognize the dress in the bottom picture, right model, and it’s driving me nuts. Does anyone remember who wore it?
- http://twitter.com/Deac82 Mike M.
  
  http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/2011/02/14/rihanna-in-christian-dior-couture-2011-grammy-awards/
  
  Here you go. It was Rihanna.
  - Anonymous
    
    You’re good, thank you.
CQAussie

Gor….geous. LOVE.
Anonymous

The first picture and the last three are breathtaking. The third picture is beyond my ken.
Anonymous

My pretty for the WEEK. Thanks guys.
http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd

I am breathless. Such beautiful images, such amazing workmanship. (Gasp)
Anonymous

Stunning! ♥
Anonymous

The pictures speak for themselves! Thanks for the pretty.
Anonymous

Is photo #2 Melissa George?
- http://twitter.com/JackieO JackieO
  
  No, it is sasha pivovarova
Anonymous

Oh my Gosh that Jacket is to Die for
Anonymous

That book is going on my Christmas wish list.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jessica-TallGirl-Freeman/1043623567 Jessica TallGirl Freeman

Thank you Jesus, Mary and Oprah.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Catherine-Rhodes/602850414 Catherine Rhodes

The models are scary skinny. I can’t even look at the clothes because the poor girls look so hungry. A round of sandwiches, pronto.
Anonymous

….and adding book to my Xmas wish list …
Anonymous

breathtaking.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2B6U4UNVYIV5DLEG6Z24ALYOC4 Dan Alexander

It’s really sad that these women/girls have absolutely no curves! Eat something for crust’s sake!
http://profiles.google.com/laurenjeanstm Lauren St Martin

How much do I want to be one of those models? So much.
Anonymous

The white floral jacket with the green bands – fantabulous!!
Anonymous

Ah, on a cold, gray November day, this was just the dose of pretty I needed! Thanks, TLo!
Anonymous

Everything is stunning except for the violent nasty third one.
- Anonymous
  
  ? The third one is the one I’m most interested in. The structure under those gowns and suits is a feat of engineering we don’t often get the chance to see. So seeing that is a rare treat.
Anonymous

For once, Zoe’s hyperbole is appropriate:
I. DIE.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1326120071 Gaby Ripoll

Unspeakably fabulous.

Sigh. Stupid Galliano.
aimee_parrott

Ahhhhhhh. That’s pretty enough to be my pretty for the whole week. Thank you.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OSYAJATXUH3QX7ZDDF52GXG4PU Janie R

Thanks for the gorgeous.
Anonymous

Wonderful, thank you. If only these gorgeous books were a little more affordable.

The third picture is particularly fascinating for me, as the structure underneath the Dior classics are what really intrigues me.
Anonymous

One of my favorite photographers … Thanks for the heads-up. Will be asking Santa for the book.
Cathy S

Those are all amazing, except the 3 zombies in their underwear. The rest were luscious.
http://www.facebook.com/scorpiovintage Carolyn Liff

Fantastic, beautiful, skillfully executed…everything good.
Anonymous

Lovely. So lovely. My favorites are #2 & #4. So different & yet so similar.

And maybe #1. Oh, and #5. And . . .
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3AJ237ND3GAHDQJZ4TLCO4WLRA Emily

So pretty. Thank you.
Anonymous

Good gracious, that is a whole lotta gorgeous!
Anonymous

Incredible. I love the idea of a “portrait” of a garment. I think extending that term beyond human beings can be really meaningful, as long as it’s used sparingly.
Anonymous

I’ve always wondered how much of the “look” is the creation of the photographer, especially someone as renowned as Demarchelier. Certainly he takes the photos, has the lighting set to his liking and directs the models, but how about the selection of the garments? The styling, makeup, props, location, even the number of models and their hiring? Is it really all his choices?
Judy_J

Now I know what to ask Santa for this year.
Anonymous

If I was my beagle I would be running excited circles around the house right now. THANK YOU. Merci beauCOUP.
Anonymous

Good god. I need a cigarette.
Anonymous

Now this makes me smile
Anonymous

Thank you! That got one Christmas present crossed off my list. Kisses.
fragileindustries

Pre-ordered. Sometimes Santa needs a nudge.
- fragileindustries
  
  Thanks, boys, for the heads-up on this … received it and it’s abso-freaking-lutely stunning. My sis, a former fashion photographer, opened her present early, and I’m a big hero. Bringin’ the pretty. Yay!
Anonymous

Stunning!

Share This

Dior Couture by Patrick Demarchelier

Archives

Follow us

Archives