A confirmed Anglophile, Christian Dior associated his many visits to Britain with "a sensation of happiness and great personal freedom".
Dior's particular affection for the English aristocracy played a vital role in positioning the label amongst the height of society. His prestigious list of British clientele was topped by Princess Margaret, who remained a client of the house for many years.
Dior's first British fashion show at the Savoy in April 1950 featured one British model, Jean Dawnay, and many of the 80 outfits shown were made from British wool and printed cottons. Having cemented his popularity, two years later Dior opened his first London business and established licensing deals with many British manufacturers, producing everything from costume jewellery to underwear.
