Cover Image: Miss Dior

Miss Dior

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I began this book ages ago and for some reason I never got around to reviewing it. My apologies to the publisher and author. As always, I appreciate the opportunity to preview their work in exchange for a fair and honest review.

As someone who loves nonfiction, especially history and memoir, I thought this biography about Catherine Dior, sister of Christian Dior would have landed perfectly in my wheelhouse and yet I struggled to finish it. In fact, I kept thinking I’d return to the book but sadly I never did. This book was filled with details about the political climate, conditions around France & Germany and the dangers and horrors of WWII and the Nazi Party however very little was written about Catherine. I still think the story of this courageous woman needs to be told and shared. I applaud the author for bringing this unknown heroine to the world’s attention.

Was this review helpful?

Titled Miss Dior, this wonderfully compelling book is much more than simply a biography of Catherine Dior, but a wide-ranging and thoroughly researched work of history in which the author allows the reader to share some of her thoughts as she follows Catherine Dior’s journey whilst never allowing these thoughts to intrude too much. Parisian couture is part of the story, but the most riveting parts of the book follow Catherine Dior’s experiences as a concentration camp inmate. Graphic and harrowing, this is some of the best writing I have ever read about WWII and the evil machinations of the Nazis. Wonderful illustrations accompany the text. A superb read.

Was this review helpful?

This book tells the story of Christian Diors sister and her survival of WWII. Catherine Dior led a fascinating life. However, she is very little focused upon in this book. Nevertheless, I recommend this for fans of WWII and Christian Dior!

Was this review helpful?

I was aware that Catherine Dior was active in the resistance to the Nazi Regime. I was not aware of how much she did. She was in serious danger and was heavily involved in helping keep Hilter from taking over France and the rest of the world. She saw her friends murdered and disappear. She herself went to Ravensburck Concentration Camp and endured horrific treatment. So, Catherine Dior was so courageous. Yet, after the war she did not speak of her experiences. Her friends who lived did not either. They just carried on and held the pain they endured.

Catherine and her brother, Christian are always very close. He made a perfume for her. It captured her essence. She wore his beautifully designed clothing. Christian was aware of what his sister went through and think it changed his approach to designing. He was a patient and tolerant person. So, you realize that beauty is mixed with such ugliness in life and it changes your outlook. He looked out for his sister and loved her dearly.

This is one thing about the book, it says it is about Catherine, so you expect to be in her mind and understand her better. This was partially captured, but not fully. Perhaps, Catherine was too private a person to ever fully know the story. So, it was more a biography of Christian Dior as well, which was fine, just not what the book suggests.

‘Aime la vie, jeune homme’ which means to love life, Catherine would say. I think that is a powerful statement. To really triumph after living over such evil, I think the best people realize Living Fully Again is the answer. It shows that the worst person can not take your true self away from you. Catherine did and spent much time making beautiful Rose Gardens. She knows that it gives her joy and brings joy to others. This was moving.

The book had many pictures and that was really wonderful to see. I had not seen much of Catherine before and Christian was often in her life. It was so fascinating to see their life layer out. So, a book I enjoyed since I learned so much. It was inspirational.

Thank you NetGalley, Justine Picador, and Farrer, Straus, and Giroux for a copy of this fine book.

Was this review helpful?

I love finding out about people who deserve to be known and Miss Dior is no exception. They say that well-behaved women rarely make history but what about those who made history quietly?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC which I received in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Good historical book but a little misleading. I was really hoping for a thoroughly researched book on Catherine Dior whereas this is more a general history book on the women arrested by the Nazis.

Was this review helpful?

Catherine Dior was the youngest of five Dior children and a favorite of her brother, Christian. The family lived in a home called Les Rhumbs overlooking the town of Granville on the Normandy coast of France. Her mother, and later Catherine herself, grew massive amount of roses which sparked Christian naming a fragrance after Catherine called Miss Dior.

World War I had a profound affect on two of the Dior brothers after which they sank into depression and died. Christian went on to pursue his love of haute couture and when World War II came along, Catherine became very involved with the French Resistance. Her involvement resulted in her receiving many beatings and torture treatments by the Germans, followed by time spent in Ravensbruck, a concentration camp solely for women. Although she survived her torture and time in the camp, she was left unable to have children.

The author has obviously done a massive amount of research for this book and I found it meticulously written. The names of the well-known Germans who enjoyed their thieving, beating people, and killing many are sometimes very hard to read. But people should read it to know the atrocities the French suffered and they struggled and fought to save their beloved country. The descriptions of the beautiful gardens and buildings are enough to make you drop your jaw. Having lived in Paris for many years, I know first hand how beautiful the city is and how proud its people are. I personally knew someone who fought in the Resistance and, as they shall remain unnamed all these years later, I admire their courage immensely. This book is not just about Catherine Dior but also about France and the strong French people. Yes, at times, it was a difficult read as the author is very frank about describing the horror that many French prisoners endured. Bottom line, this is a great history packed into one novel. There is a lot devoted to Christian Dior and his beautiful fashion collections. I loved every bit of this book and I feel like I have read a rare historical masterpiece.

Copy provided by the NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Behind the name and all the glamour. We get a look through Catherine’s eyes. All the turmoil her and her brother went through.

Was this review helpful?

This was just not what I was expecting. The book seemed to focus more on the war and the political landscape, and then jumped to Christian's career where it spent the remainder of the time. I did thoroughly enjoy all of the pictures that were provided, though.

Was this review helpful?

I am not a fashionista. My idea of comfort is yoga pants and comfortable T-shirt’s. I do like reading about fashion and WWII. I was piqued by Catherine Dior’s involvement in the resistance. I found her to be stalwart and resilient. There is not much about her Picardie had To fill in with information about her brother Christian Dior’s life and business. I loved all the family photographs and fashion sketches that were included. I honed in on a few books the author mentioned in her research. I was hoping for a bibliography, but didn’t have one for my digital copy. It’s a well written book.

Was this review helpful?

Catherine Dior, by no means as well known as her brother, fashion icon Christian Dior, was a hero of the French Resistance, not too many know this. This book is a non-fiction account of Catherine's involvement in the resistance, her arrest and subsequent torture at the hands of the Gestapo and her deportation to Ravensbruck concentration camp. It also tells of Catherine's post WWII life, of the person she became after the horrors she endured at the hands of the Nazis.
This book is well-researched and extremely detailed. We no only learn of the woman that was Catherine Dior, and Christian's much loved sister. But of Christian and the length's he himself went to protect his younger sister.
This book also gives light to the couture fashion industry and how the evolved throughout the occupation of Paris, whether as collaborator or resister.
An extremely informative, detailed homage to a courageous woman who deserves as much if not more recognition as her famous brother. This is a very readable work of non-fiction, I recommend this book highly.
Thank you to the publishers at Farrar, Straus and Giroux and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

Was this review helpful?

I always love learning about the women in a famous man's life. Very often, we find such fascinating stories that were never really told because those women were not seen as important.
In this case, it's a bit different, since we are mentioning a sister and not a wife. But equally as interesting.

Having no knowledge of Miss Dior before reading this book, I was shocked by the long life she lived and all the things that happened to her.
Being from a country that was not involved in any World War, my view of that is a bit more detached. It's still harrowing to read about those events, of course. But it usually ends up boring me a little, so I would have preferred maybe if that part was more summed up. However, I do understand that it adds very important nuances to the biography.

I totally understand how hard it was for the author to put all of this together, having limited sources to get information from. I appreciate that a lot.

The illustrations were as beautiful as expected and really complimented the book.

Was this review helpful?

Too Little is Known of Catherine Dior


New revelations about World War II: The Holocaust and the French Resistance contains new horrors. This book is centered on the Christian Dior family with emphasis on the youngest, Catherine Dior, a member of the Resistance.

However, most of this book focused on the resolve of the Germans to severely torture, humiliate and kill the Jews and the French. The French, however, often collaborated with the Germans to save themselves, not necessarily their country.

This excellent account was often difficult to read. Catherine was arrested in 1944 and thus the reader learned of her continued torture and humiliation in France and Ravensbruck concentration camp. Picardie’s research is detailed with facts buoyed by the courage of the French women and the love of torture by the Germans. This is not a book focused on fashion, there are some parts but not until post war and then it’s vague.

There seems to be a theme repeated in these accounts of the War. A person has to be able to kill a child, to torture a woman and enjoy it. The “I was just following orders,” has no credibility in this account. I did learn about the evolution of the French; there were two factions: loyal French who respected their country and citizens and the others who were willing to collaborate, torture their own countrymen. Led by General Petain, his country became a tool for the Nazis as Petain and his followers offered up his citizens to gain more power. There is a chilling parallel to the unabashed climb to power in this country when one party blindly follows one man, with no history of helping his fellowman. Instead, it’s all about power and it takes a traitor to follow this plan. Petain was later found guilty.

Missing from this book is Christian Dior’s climb to fame. However, his love for his sister is apparent. He did try and find her whereabouts during the war but he did not have the humility or the courage of Catherine. This long account of Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII seems totally out of place. There is no comparison to the courage and loyalty of Catherine Dior.
The accounting of the post war became disjointed. Fashion and the French Resistance could not co-exist during this dreadful era. Catherine did not freely speak of her torture unless she was testifying and then her memory was razor sharp and we knew
she was no longer a shadow.

My gratitude to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this pre-published book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Justine Picardie, Miss Dior, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, NY, 2021

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

Justine Picardie suggests that this is the story of Catherine Dior, a ghost who would not let her be free, and thus becoming the focus of the book, Miss Dior. Although there are gripping allusions to some of the turmoil and horror of the life Catherine Dior must have led as a member of the French Resistance, and prisoner in Ravensbruk; her intermittent appearances in Christian Dior’s personal and fashion world; and reflections on her own post war world as she gathered together her ideas, fortitude and determination to follow her earlier interest in flowers and gardens it is difficult to do more than see glimpses of a woman whose life was so markedly different from that of her much older and public brother, Christian.

Some of the writing is wonderfully evocative, the garden with which the narrative begins is beautifully envisioned, and this beauty appears when appropriate throughout the work. There is little doubt that Picardie wanted to evoke Catherine rather than Christian, but it is all too easy to write of fashion, success, the powerful and socially important people who adored Christian and his fashions, and I feel that this is what has happened in this book.

There are harrowing sections where the treatment of resistance or other politically unsupportive prisoners of the SS is described. The journeys taken to internment camps; the detail of treatment meted out at Ravensbruk; the torture that took place in beautiful buildings in Paris reflect upon Catherine’s world during the war. She appears at times, through others recall, or recognition that her life at this time is reflected in the horrors that impacted on others. She appears in court cases to give evidence against the Nazis – but at no other time does she give voice to her war time life and experiences. Her honours can be noted – but what were her feelings toward them?

Unfortunately, Catherine is mute on most other aspects of her life. Picardie is forced to mention, without recourse to her feelings on the subject, Catherine’s appearance at a fashion parade; her role as the inspiration for the perfume, Miss Dior; the Dior fashion she wore; her ownership of a flower business with her married lover; and work on the gardens in the homes in which she lived.

What we have is an effort to give a relatively unknown woman, sister of a famous fashion designer, a resistance fighter and inmate of Ravensbruk who was honoured for her bravery, a more recognisable public face. This is commendable, and perhaps so important that the shortcomings I refer to in the interest of writing an honest review, can be overlooked. This book raises the important question of how little-known women whose voices need to be heard should be written about. If it is accepted that the little that is known should be woven through a wider text, how does this particular text stand up?

The social, political, and economic environments through which Catherine Dior moved are well written. In particular, the description of the atmosphere in France during the war, and when the trials of war criminals were taking place is intense. The attitudes toward German businesses which thrived on the slave labour they used is instructive. So, too, is the way in which the fashion industry dealt with maintaining their business, in some cases raising the spectre of well-known figures being collaborators. Less directly, but overwhelmingly uncomfortable is the way in which the aftermath of imprisonment and torture appears to live side by side with descriptions of luscious fashions and fabulous jewellery wearing patrons. Picardie writes of these matters but maintains a mostly onlooker’s stance with little political commentary. This does not prevent the reader from reflecting upon the material – at times I felt quite horror struck about the seeming forgetfulness or even dismissiveness by the social gatherings being described. For example, Christian Dior’s life seemed to continue in a way that was so unresponsive to his sister’s experiences. A fashion designer returning to corsetry and control in his fashions when control of the bodies of women in Ravensbruk was integral to their incarceration? An attitude worth examining?

I found this book an informative work on the fashion industry, experiences during WW11 and attitudes towards the war and its aftermath and appreciated the glimpses of a little-known woman of such bravery and fortitude.

Was this review helpful?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Miss Dior by author Justine Picardie is an interesting read because the author has a very different way of telling a story about Catherine Dior, designer Christian Dior’s beloved sister and the inspiration for his signature fragrance entitled Miss Dior. When I selected this book to read, I thought I would be learning about Catherine Dior. However, this book is a more historical novel with many details about the first and second world wars and specifically about the behavior of the French people during these wars. Catherine and Christian Dior were a close brother and sister. They grew up with a domineering yet exquisite mother who left a lasting influence on Christian Dior through his love of flowers, incredible fashion designs, and personal style. Christian Dior did not have a remarkable role in World War II, but his sister Catherine fought with the French resistance. I think the weakest part of this book is not the lack of details about the resistance but the fact that Catherine’s story should have been expanded. The atrocities suffered under Hitler and his minions cannot be underplayed. At its core, we find a brother-sister devoted to one another their entire lives, and Christian Dior comes out after the end of the war with a spectacular “new look” in a fashion that is greeted with celebrations and accolades for its unique style. Sadly, he would only live about a decade longer before dying of a heart attack at age 52. Catherine, meanwhile, takes on the task of finalizing Christian’s estate while establishing his historical legacy. I think that the reader who enjoys historical novels will enjoy this book. The author writes, “That is, perhaps Dior’s tragedy, as well as the source of his greatness: a prince of light who knew the power of darkness; the tender brother who could not forget his sister’s suffering and sacrifice, even as he swathed her in floral silks and the scent of love.” #missdior #christiandior #catherinedior #justinepicardie @fsgbooks @netgalley
.
Thank you Netgalley and Farrar, Straus, and Giroux for the opportunity to read this book which was delightful.

Was this review helpful?

i really enjoyed getting to know Miss Catherine Dior, and appreciate the author telling her story. It was a beautifully done biography and felt like it was a well-researched book.

Was this review helpful?

Read if you: Want a unique biography of a woman who survived the Ravensbruck concentration camp and was the beloved sister of Christian Dior.

This is not a very intimate and revealing biography of Catherine Dior. Given that she did not speak much about her experiences, that would be difficult to create. Entire pages go by without any actual mention of Catherine Dior--plenty about her brother, other women's horrific experiences at Ravensbruck, etc. There are several pages in which the author describes her experience at the Dior museum and even writing at Christian Dior's desk, which are quite interesting.

It's still quite a compelling read, so definitely read if you are interested in this particular time period, because Picardie recreates that world very effectively.

Librarians/booksellers: Readers of World War II history will be intrigued.

Many thanks to Farrar, Straus, and Giroux and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A loving tribute biography to a brave woman. I enjoyed learning more about the woman behind the fragrance Miss Dior.

Was this review helpful?

Miss Dior by Justine Picardie is a wonderful nonfiction and biography of the complex and fascinating life of Catherine Dior.

I knew a bit about the sister of the infamous designer, but getting to know more of the facets of Catherine, more of what she went through and experienced during WWII in occupied France, her involvement with the resistance, and her incarceration in a concentration camp really brought to life the brave, complex, and intriguing woman.

The author did a great job of setting the external tone, interweaving her existence with that of her siblings, all the while continuing to focus on the spotlight on Catherine herself. Research was clearly done, and the included images and photos are just stunning.

I highly recommend this book.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Farrar, Straus, and Giroux for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 11/9/21.

Was this review helpful?

I love the Dior brand and fashion. This book is an in-depth history that I wasn’t familiar with…Plus it has amazing pictures. I highly recommend this.

Was this review helpful?