Marc Bohan designed Dior’s first men’s ready-to-wear line, Christian Dior Monsieur, introduced in 1970.
Bohan became Dior’s artistic director in 1960 after Yves Saint Laurent left the role for military service. During his long tenure, he expanded the house beyond women’s haute couture, helping Dior address the growing market for accessible, professionally made clothing.
The first Christian Dior Monsieur collection was known as “Boutique Monsieur” for the spring–summer 1970 season. It centered on men’s wardrobe staples such as suits and shirts, presenting Dior’s polished tailoring in a ready-to-wear format. The line’s creation is sometimes dated to 1969, when the division was established, but its first collection appeared in 1970.
Philippe Guibourgé assisted Bohan on Dior’s women’s ready-to-wear work, which can cause confusion about authorship. Christian Dior Monsieur was later handled by other designers, including Christian Benais and Gérard Penneroux, and eventually became associated with Dior Homme.