'The New Look'

'In 1947 designer Christian Dior turned the world of fashion on its head when he unveiled his bold line of ultra feminine clothing'(statement quoted from 50 years of fashion book)

The Parisian Couture houses were going through a hard time during the War. Designs were still being made and sold, but not everyone could afford or even reach them.
In late 40's the designer Christian Dior brought fashion back, when he unveiled his new season of clothing, that were totally different from the wartime. Clothes were soft, sloping shoulders over clinched in waists and full skirts which came to mid-calf, expensive fabrics were used as well as bustles, bows, wide sleeve, the contrast to the military style with straight skirt and padded shoulders couldn't have been more marked.
The collection was named 'The New Look', by a London private garment maker, that described the total glorification of the female form.
In Great Britain, women were delighted, but politicians were dismayed, and people were still suffering from shortages of materials and clothes.
It was needed extreme yards of fabric, in order to make the full and long skirts, which were seen as sinfully and very extravagant.
The collection was shown in secret, to the princesses at the time, but the king forbidden them to adopt the look, as it was seen as bad example.
The garments from the 'New Look' collection weren't affordable for everyone as it was very expensive. Besides, you had to be on the client list for a top design house and have garments made specifically for you. You couldn't walk in off the street.
Some Department stores bought the rights to line-for-line copies of Haute Couture designs. The only real mass production was happening in America.
Then later on Vogue magazine produce designs that we could all make at home. By the early Fifties we were all wearing 'The New Look'.

The 'New Look'

In my point of view the 'New Look' by Christian Dior, was an explosion during that time, because the collection had such impact in the era that pretty much everyone commented about it in good and bad way.
The main reason why 'New Look' by Christian Dior was so shocking was because the population wasnt used to it, specially at that era where they had to up cycle and recycle their own costs because they didnt have enough sources or finances because of the war at the time. By being introduced by a French designer made even more difficult for working people to have acess as you needed to be wealthy.The name was given after a report exclaimed that the collection was a 'New Look' for everyone. In this collection the silhouette was small nipped in waist, with full skirt mid calf length which made the hips and waist stand out. At the time Dior used very expensive and extravagant fabrics, it was also very popular in all Europe and USA, and designers Robert Perrier. After the war the styles of the collection was used everywhere inclusive UK princess Margaret.