Catherine Dior

Catherine Dior (1917–2008) was a member of the Polish intelligence unit based in France during World War II.[1][2] In July 1944 she was arrested, tortured, and deported to the Ravensbrück women's concentration camp.[2] She was freed in 1945.[2] She eventually testified in a trial of fourteen people responsible for the office of the Gestapo in Paris.[1] She also publicly distanced herself from her niece Françoise Dior after the niece married Colin Jordan, a Neo-Nazi leader.[1][3]

Her awards included the Croix de Guerre, the Combatant Volunteer Cross of the Resistance, the Combatant Cross, the King's Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom (from Britain), and being named a chevalière of the Légion d'Honneur.[2]

She had four siblings: Raymond (father of Françoise Dior), Jacqueline, Bernard, and Christian Dior.[4]

Legend has it that fragrance Miss Dior was named after her because she suddenly went into the room when its designer, her brother Christian Dior, was thinking of names for it, and Christian's colleague and muse Mitzah Bricard said, "Ah, here's Miss Dior!"[2][5] The fragrance was launched in 1947.[2]

Catherine helped to preserve her brother Christian's legacy after his death and was involved with the opening of the Dior Museum in Grainville.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Catherine, la revolucionaria y auténtica Miss Dior | Gente | EL PAÍS". Elpais.com. 2013-11-30. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Who was the original Miss Dior? - Telegraph". Fashion.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  3. ↑ "Neo-Nazi leader Colin Jordan's legacy | The Jewish Chronicle". Thejc.com. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  4. ↑ Pochna, M-F. (1996). Christian Dior: The Man Who Made the World Look New p. 5, Arcade Publishing. ISBN 1-55970-340-7.
  5. ↑ Kay, Mary (2013-11-15). "Take the bartender's advice. Go to the Miss Dior exhibition at the Grand Palais!". Out and About in Paris. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
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