Christian Dior worked at the Lucien Lelong couture house alongside Pierre Balmain during World War II.
Dior joined Lelong in 1941, during the German occupation of France. Lelong’s house continued operating in Paris, and Dior helped design haute couture clothing while working within the restrictions imposed on the French fashion industry during wartime.
Pierre Balmain was another important designer at Lelong during this period. Their work there formed part of Dior’s professional preparation before he founded his own fashion house in 1946. Dior had previously worked as a gallery owner and fashion illustrator, but Lelong gave him direct experience in an established couture business.
This period is sometimes confused with Dior’s later role as an independent couturier. His celebrated first collection came only after he left Lelong and established the House of Dior with financial backing from textile industrialist Marcel Boussac.