Dior’s work helped bring Paris out of the dark days of the war and restored the city to the forefront of fashion. His ‘New Look’, revealed in 1947, featured prominent shoulders, narrow waists and accentuated bust-lines, leading the line to be dubbed ‘Figure 8’, suggesting the silhouette it created. He continued to produce themed lines and in the spring of 1953 he introduced the ‘Tulip’ line. Featuring an abundance of soft, billowy flower prints, the line suggested the light airy spring of the rejuvenated Paris. In 1955 he came out with the ‘A-line’, an undefined waistline and sleek silhouette that widened as it extended down over the hips and legs, resembling a capital “A”.

Dior also created men’s wear lines at this time. Combining and contrasting soft to hard lines and tromp l’oeil details, he brought men’s wear into the modern world with forward-looking design. Yves Saint-Laurent became his assistant in 1953 and together they created some of the most influential fashions of the last century.

Dior’s health began to deteriorate later in life. Toward the end of his life he was taking numerous injections to wake up in the morning, to prod his appetite, and to help him sleep. Members of his family blamed his manager, claiming she was pushing him to the brink of death. His older brother Raymond, with whom he had always feuded even as children, agreed, and the rift caused him to disinherit his close family.

Dior, who suffered from heart trouble, apparently died of a heart attack while attempting to lose weight at a spa in Montecatini, Italy. His death, however, is surrounded by rumors of late night gallivanting with young lovers while at the spa. Whatever the cause, his untimely death left the world without a fashion leader for many years.