Mr. Dior? He was like a family, recalls the 1950s model

LONDON (Reuters) – When Odile Kern entered a Parisian elevator in 1953, she found herself alongside fashion designer Christian Dior – and in an instant her life changed.

Now 88, Kern was already on the payroll of the fashion designer in the Avenue Montaigne building. Dior asked her who she was.

"I said" Sir, I'm calling Odile and I work for you … in the shop ". And he said to me, "No, now you work for me (as a model)". "

Kern had left his mark at Dior House. Founded in 1946 and at the heart of a post-war revolution in women's fashion, the brand remains one of the most prestigious in the world.

The designer's first collection, in 1947, featured the Bar Suit – a hipster fitted at the waist and long skirt – nicknamed the "New Look".

Speaking at a new London exhibition dedicated to Dior's House, Kern recalled how private clients visited the Parisian studio to see and order custom creations.

"We were working for Dior House, no one else, we worked two hours a day to present the collection every day," Kern told Reuters.

"For me it's an accident, but I think a lot of young women would have liked to work for Dior House … We did not pay much, but it was fun."

Dior died in 1957 at the age of 52. He was replaced by Yves Saint Laurent, 21 years old.

"Mr. Dior was not a normal boss, he was like a family," Kern said. "We loved him, admired him and respected him."

Svetlana Lloyd joined the team in 1956 when she entered the store during a trip from London. She was quickly sent to the floor and began modeling the next day.

"There were 15 models, regular models, that we showed every day, something that does not exist (now) of course … He liked having people of different shapes, heights and styles, because it was his clientele, "she said.

"… Nowadays, very few … private clothes orders."

The exhibition "Christian Dior: Creator of Dreams", presented at the Victoria & Albert Museum until July, is illustrated by a photo of Lloyd wearing a gray Dior dress in 1958.

"He was the first to do a lot of things, for example, doubling a fur mackintosh," she said. "It's just small, unusual touches that made her couture more interesting."