Philippe et Gaston

"“I have always been interested in haute couture. I needed it for my main business, textiles, and clothing. I had previously followed the creations of Loiret, of Paquin… I wanted to make the street prettier, more attractive. Because it is the fashionable women’s outfits that embellish it. I had founded a small house: ‘Philippe et Gaston,’ on rue Saint-Florentin. In 1946, Mr. and Mrs. Gaston were getting old and asked to retire. I needed a designer. I turned to Lelong, who was president of Haute Couture, whom I knew well: I had provided him with fabric during the time of great shortage. Lelong couldn’t suggest anyone. I turned to Henri Fayol, my general director. He inquired and proposed someone from Lelong, a young designer with a good reputation, Christian Dior. I objected to Fayol that this young man certainly wouldn’t want to leave Lelong for Philippe et Gaston. Fayol insisted. I agreed to meet him.”"

"Everything was about to change at the corner of rue Saint-Florentin and rue Saint-Honoré. The director of Philippe et Gaston, Henri Vigoureux, was heading towards rue Royale and “ran into” his old friend from Granville: Christian Dior. Reunion after years, effusions, embraces. And suddenly, Henri Vigoureux exclaims: — The sky puts you in my path! Marcel Boussac, the owner of Philippe et Gaston, is looking for a designer capable of breathing new life into the old house he wants to revive. Do you know anyone? Christian Dior thinks. At first glance, no, he doesn’t consider anyone: — I don’t see the rare bird who could fulfill such a perilous task."