A constant source of creative inspiration for Christian Dior, his passion for flowers and gardens lies at the heart of his entire body of work. The designer considered the fragrance of a perfume to be an 'open door to a hidden world.' His first perfume, Miss Dior, was inspired by childhood memories of lush gardens in Normandy, which inextricably linked his careers as a couturier and perfumer. Other fragrances were imagined from evenings spent in his jasmine-infused retreat in the South of France, illuminated by fireflies. Throughout his life, Christian Dior conceived his gardens as green havens and sanctuaries for his creativity. Some are still imbued with his spirit today. Flowers and gardens were also essential to his career as a designer, from the 'femme-fleurs' (flower women) that inspired the New Look of the late 1940s and 1950s, to a lifetime of sophisticated evening gowns embroidered with luxurious floral motifs. Modern reinterpretations of floral inspirations have remained pivotal to the designs of Dior's successors, including Yves Saint Laurent, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano and Raf Simons. Exploring the designer's ongoing dialogue with nature, this elegant publication features a series of original essays by fashion historians, writers and a landscape architect. Also included are interviews with creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri, François Demachy, Victoire de Castellane, Kim Jones and Peter Philips, who share how Christian Dior's love of flowers has influenced their artistic vision. A selection of rose portraits by Nick Knight, exclusive archival documents featuring Christian Dior and his gardens, design sketches, perfumes and photographs displaying exquisite details of embroidery and fabrics, tell a fresh and captivating story of the House of Dior.