Dior: The Art of Color

Book excerpt: This exquisite book takes the reader on a kaleidoscopic journey through the history of makeup, style, and color at the revered fashion house of Dior. An exquisite ode to color, this book presents the history of Dior cosmetics placed within contexts of fashion and art. Divided into twelve chapters (White, Silver, Nude, Pink, Red, Purple, Blue, Green, Yellow, Gold, Gray, and Black) Dior: The Art of Color showcases not only the sometimes glamorous, sometimes natural cosmetics, but also the aesthetics of color, which was the source of inspiration for so much of Dior’s creations. The evolution of color through the ages is presented with iconic works from renowned artists and Dior makeup advertising campaigns—including creations from some of the greats in the field, such as Serge Lutens, Tyen, and the current head of Dior makeup, Peter Philips—captured by master photographers such as Irving Penn, Guy Bourdin, and Richard Burbridge. With a highly engaging text and never-before-seen imagery, this is a book that no student of fashion or art should be without.