Chanel Biographer Justine Picardie on Dior
When bestselling author (and Holiday Goddess contributor) Justine Picardie was given access to Chanel’s apartment with Karl Lagerfeld’s blessing, she discovered mysterious new secrets about Gabrielle (Coco) that helped guide the book. Among them, were Chanel’s fascination with the Lenormand cards and astrology.
In her new, acclaimed biography of Christian Dior’s sister Catherine, Justine found a similar interest in the esoteric, but the designer had good reason. When his sister Catherine vanished during the war, sometimes psychics were his only hope.
In this podcast at the Dior website, part of a series about the women in Dior’s world, you can hear more about the details of these stories in Picardie’s new book, Miss Dior.
Catherine Dior, Heroine of the War
Catherine Dior and her companions in Paris were part of the resistance against Hitler and Nazi rule, but in a sad twist of fate they were transported to Ravensbruck, a concentration camp for women, just 10 days before Paris was liberated.
In her biography of Christian, Picardie has a chapter called Magical Thinking, about the designer’s reliance on fate and fortune-tellers. It began when he was fourteen years old and sustained him during Catherine’s time in the camp. His favourite psychic, Mme Delahaye, gave him hope that she would return, safe and well.
Episode Three of ‘The Women of Christian Dior’
In this third episode of the podcast series “Mes Chéries: The Women of Christian Dior”, recorded at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, Oriole Cullen, curator of Modern Textiles and Fashion, and Justine Picardie, talk about Madame Delahaye.
She was a mysterious figure about whom very little is known, not even her first name, but the role she played in his life, and in his creative decisions, was important. (Below, Dior in Bloom: Justine Picardie)
Free Audiobook Trial of Miss Dior by Justine Picardie
Audible offers a free audiobook trial and complimentary copy of Miss Dior, read by the author.
“This is the story of a ghost who walked into my life on a sunlit morning and would not let go of me. She is a woman of courage, a devoted sister, a constant gardener and a resistance heroine who lived life on her own terms. Her name is Catherine Dior.”
From Occupied Paris, to Ravensbrück, Picardie’s unparalleled access to the Dior family homes and archives shines a new light on Christian Dior’s work and his ‘New Look’ which emerged out of the shadows of his sister’s suffering. Like Chanel, Dior had a great interest in oracles and divination (like the Lenormand cards, below) which is woven into his story.
Reviews of Miss Dior
‘A gripping story in which Justine Picardie brilliantly contrasts the cruel Old World of wartime France with the hopeful New World epitomised by Christian Dior’s New Look.’ ANTONIA FRASER
‘Catherine’s story is beautifully, hauntingly told in spare and elegant prose by Picardie . . . moving and evocative.’
THE TIMES ‘
Picardie’s book is of the moment, celebrating an unsung hero at a time when female influences are earning new acclaim.’ VOGUE
About Justine Picardie
Justine Picardie is the author of six books, including her critically acclaimed memoir, If the Spirit Moves You: Life and Love After Death , and the international bestseller, Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life . She is a contributing editor to Harper’s Bazaar , having previously been its editor-in-chief. She was formerly an investigative journalist for the Sunday Times , a columnist for the Telegraph , editor of the Observer Magazine and features director of Vogue .
