Fan
1950-1955 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The personal use of fans declined dramatically after the First World War (1914-18). However, in the early 20th century fans became an advertising medium for fashion designers. This fan was produced for Christian Dior in the early 1950s. The materials and the design on the leaf – a reproduction of Dior’s signature - could not be more simple. The asymmetrical shape of the leaf provides the contemporary touch.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Hand-painted paper and with wooden sticks |
| Brief description | Hand-painted paper fan with wooden sticks, made by Eventails Gane for Christian Dior, France, 1950-1955 |
| Physical description | Asymmetrical fan of white paper with 'Christian Dior' hand-painted across the surface. Plain light wooden sticks. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production type | Unique |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Christian Dior' (Hand-painted across the paper of fan) |
| Gallery label | [In the 'Boutiques' case]
Perfume and cosmetics
Perfume and cosmetics sales were an increasingly lucrative business for the couture houses after the war. Dior created his first perfume and lipstick in 1947, soon after the launch of his fashion house. Luxurious packaging was an essential part of beauty products. Dior even created small stage sets called 'glorifiers' in which to present his perfumes.
Christian Dior (1905-57)
Paris
1. Dior Rouge lipstick
1947
2. Miss Dior perfume and glorifier
1947
Glass bottle by Baccarat
3. Bouquet Diorissimo perfume and glorifier
1956
Glass bottle by Baccarat
By courtesy of Christian Dior Parfums, Paris
4. Advertising fan
About 1950-5
Given by Margaret Marshall
V&A: T.31-1983 |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Margaret Marshall |
| Summary | The personal use of fans declined dramatically after the First World War (1914-18). However, in the early 20th century fans became an advertising medium for fashion designers. This fan was produced for Christian Dior in the early 1950s. The materials and the design on the leaf – a reproduction of Dior’s signature - could not be more simple. The asymmetrical shape of the leaf provides the contemporary touch. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.31-1983 |
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| Record created | December 12, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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