Not on display

Fan

1950-1955 (made)
Artist/Maker
Eventails Gane (maker)
Dior, Christian (designer)
Place of origin
France (made)

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
Accessories
Advertising
Clothing
Fashion
Fans
Object type
Fan
Materials and techniques
Hand-painted paper and with wooden sticks
Paper
Wood
Paint
Glue
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
  • Height: 12.5cm
  • Diameter: 25cm
  • Weight: 0.1kg
Measured for the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries
Production typeUnique
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
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.31-1983

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Record createdDecember 12, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O87273/fan-dior-christian/
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