Christian Dior fashions bring breath of Paris: Sydney

It’s hard to imagine the impact of this Movietone News reel on Australian cinema audiences in 1948. This showing of Christian Dior fashions in David Jones’ Spring Parade was the first time the designer’s creations had been seen outside of Paris, and clothing restrictions had just been lifted after six years. Although Australians had experienced nothing like the strict rationing in the UK, the Second World War and its aftermath had still been bleak years. Dior’s lavish hourglass designs with their nipped waists and billowing skirts – the ‘New Look’ silhouette’ – bid an exuberant farewell to wartime gloom. The swing coats, soaring collars and picture hats must have looked like visitations from another planet.  

The David Jones models can’t seem to believe their luck and wear gleeful smiles, undermining the haughty stereotype of Parisian chic. Maybe that’s what Dior had in mind when he said, 'Australians have a cleaner, brighter outlook and are more receptive to new ideas than the tired people of European countries.'  

While the Dior fashions would have been way beyond the reach of most women watching, this 'breath of Paris' represents a moment when Australians looked outwards to the world and ahead to the future with renewed zest and confidence.  

Please note: this clip is silent. The NFSA holds only the picture negative of this newsreel; the final version would have had a voice-over narration describing the dresses.