Dior’s connections with Hôtel Plaza Athénée
Back when Christian Dior aspired to be an established fashion designer, he is said to have walked along avenue Montaigne and stopped outside Hôtel Plaza Athénée. At that moment he made a promise to himself that if he launched his own couture house it would be here. Dior wanted an elegant, cosmopolitan clientele and realised that these were kind of people who chose to stay at Hôtel Plaza Athénée. His dream came true a couple of years later, when he acquired a property across from the hotel at 30 avenue Montaigne, and showed his inaugural collection at the hotel in 1947.
Dior loved Hôtel Plaza Athénée. In his view, it was one of the most beautiful hotels in Paris, with its red awnings, geranium-filled balconies, gold lettering and subtle luxury. As it was so near his fashion house, he often lunched at the hotel and it is said he thought of us as his second home. In homage, his first collection included creations called Plaza and Athénée. A wonderful claim to fame is that Dior’s legendary Bar suit was named after our hotel’s chic bar and was considered the perfect outfit for enjoying cocktails.
The Dior Spa Plaza Athénée, opened in 2008, is a modern-day example of the continued relationship between Dior and the hotel. It was always Dior’s desire to make women feel prettier, happier and in harmony with themselves, and a spa is the perfect way to do that. This partnership offers Escales Couture, exclusive treatments inspired by Haute Couture that awaken the senses, revitalise the body, and soothe the mind. Today our Dior Spa is decorated with Christian Dior sketches and vintage photos of his models at the hotel.
Our Haute Couture Eiffel Suite is a chic Haussmann-style apartment dedicated to couture. Wonderfully high ceilings, beautiful swathes of fabric and designer touches complete the appeal. The signature suite is dedicated to Dior, something that’s reflected in its shimmering pink colours and subtle tones of pearl grey and silver, as well as a couturier’s mannequin and Dior books.
At 30 avenue Montaigne, the House of Dior has recently unveiled its new flagship, and once again placed our prestigious address firmly in the spotlight. Much more than a boutique, this new space houses a museum, three gardens, a very private suite, and a restaurant named Monsieur Dior. Dior shows once again its love for Hotel Plaza Athénée by choosing Jean Imbert, the visionary chef behind our Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée restaurant, to sign their menu.
Discover more of our history and Haute Couture connections when you stay with us at Hôtel Plaza Athénée.
Image courtesy of Adrien Dirand and Kristen Pelou