Dior New Look 1947 Review: The Scent of a Fashion Revolution
An in-depth look at the fragrance inspired by one of fashion's most iconic moments.
In the world of fragrance, few names carry the weight and history of Dior. The launch of Christian Dior's first fashion collection on February 12, 1947, was a seismic event. Dubbed the "New Look" by Harper's Bazaar editor Carmel Snow, it redefined post-war femininity with its full skirts, cinched waists, and unapologetic elegance. It was a statement of optimism and luxury. To capture the spirit of this revolutionary moment, Dior launched New Look 1947, a fragrance within its exclusive La Collection Privée, a line dedicated to celebrating the brand's heritage through exceptional perfumery.
Originally launched in 2010 and later updated in 2018, New Look 1947 is not merely a perfume; it's a fragrant interpretation of a pivotal moment in fashion history. It sits within the prestigious Maison Christian Dior collection (formerly La Collection Privée), a lineup of unisex fragrances crafted with high-quality materials, sold exclusively in Dior boutiques and online. This positions it firmly in the luxury tier, intended for discerning consumers who appreciate the story and artistry behind a scent, not just its smell. The collection itself began in 2004 with a trio of scents and was expanded by François Demachy in 2010 to more fully illustrate the life of Christian Dior.
The inspiration is direct and potent: to translate the silhouette of the New Look—voluminous, structured, yet gracefully feminine—into a scent. Perfumer François Demachy stated, "I wanted to compose a perfume in which rose and jasmine unfurled, like a skirt with an outrageous quantity of fabric and a narrow, slender waist. Heady Tuberose fully expresses this whirling vivacity." The goal was to create an explosive, generous, and ultra-feminine floral bouquet that echoes the powerful impact of that first runway show.
Within the fragrance community, New Look 1947 is respected as a beautifully crafted, classic floral. It is often described as elegant, powdery, and timeless. While some critics have found it too soft-spoken or sheer to live up to its revolutionary name, others praise its delicate and sophisticated nature, viewing it as a scent of abstract femininity rather than a loud statement piece. It is seen as a versatile and well-made fragrance that embodies the classic Dior elegance, even if it doesn't break new olfactory ground.
The Nose Behind the Scent
François Demachy. The former in-house Perfumer-Creator at Dior, he is the nose behind many of the brand's most successful modern fragrances, including Sauvage, Dior Homme, and numerous creations for the exclusive Maison Christian Dior collection.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
The fragrance opens with a bright, slightly piquant touch of pink pepper which quickly blossoms into a luminous, sweet, and airy bouquet of ylang-ylang and tuberose. It's a classic, heady floral opening that feels both radiant and incredibly feminine.
After the initial burst, the scent settles into a sophisticated, powdery heart. Iris and rose emerge, creating a cosmetic, lipstick-like accord that evokes vintage elegance. The florals become softer and more blended, creating a gauzy, delicate aura that sits closer to the skin.
The final stage is a warm, sensual, and comforting skin scent. The florals fade into the background as the creamy vanilla and resinous benzoin base takes over. The result is a soft, slightly sweet, and endlessly elegant finish.
Performance Dashboard
Lasts a solid 6-9 hours on skin, though it becomes a more intimate scent after the first few hours.
Moderate projection for the first 1-2 hours. It creates a noticeable but not overwhelming scent bubble.
A soft to moderate trail. It's an elegant scent that is more likely to be discovered than announced.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
Receives compliments for its elegance and beauty. It's a scent that is more often described as 'lovely' or 'classy' rather than 'sexy' or 'head-turning'.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Timelessly elegant and sophisticated scent profile
- ✅ High-quality ingredients and masterful blending
- ✅ Excellent longevity as a skin scent
- ✅ Versatile enough for office, casual, and formal wear
- ✅ Beautifully captures a moment in fashion history
- ❌ Premium price point places it in the luxury category
- ❌ Sillage and projection are polite and may be too soft for some
- ❌ The classic powdery-floral style may feel dated to some wearers
- ❌ Reportedly discontinued in some regions, making it harder to find
Price & Value
“A worthy investment for connoisseurs of classic floral perfumery who value craftsmanship and heritage over fleeting trends.”
📜 Reformulation History
The original 2010 release in the 'La Collection Couturier' bottle is often compared to the 2018 version released under the 'Maison Christian Dior' line. The 2018 version is noted as having a more prominent pink pepper top note, but the core floral heart remains largely the same.
Who It's For
✅ Ideal For
- Women 30+
- Lovers of classic, powdery florals
- Those who appreciate sophisticated and elegant scents
- Individuals seeking a timeless and versatile signature fragrance
⚠️ Not Recommended For
- Those who prefer bold, loud, or statement-making perfumes
- Fans of gourmand, fruity, or intensely sweet scents
- Anyone looking for a very modern or avant-garde fragrance profile
Explore More
🔍 Similar Fragrances
Shares a similar sensual white floral heart, particularly the ylang-ylang and tuberose combination.
Evokes a similar powdery, cosmetic, and elegant floral feeling, though with a different note composition.
Focuses on a high-quality ylang-ylang note with a warm, ambery base, appealing to the same audience.
A rich and elegant white floral with gardenia and ylang-ylang over a vanilla base, sharing a similar classic structure.
💡 Clone Alternatives
Directly inspired by New Look 1947, aiming to replicate the pink pepper, ylang-ylang, and vanilla structure at a lower price point.
An impression fragrance that focuses on the fresh floral, sweet, and soft musk aspects of the original.
❤️ You May Also Enjoy
Shares the elegant, sophisticated, and somewhat abstract floral DNA of the Maison Christian Dior collection.
For those who appreciate the history and timeless appeal of classic aldehydic and powdery florals.
A modern take on a powdery floral with gourmand facets, offering a similar sense of elegance with a different profile.
Another iconic scent from the private collection, loved for its powdery iris and smooth, woody-vanilla base.
More from Dior
🧪 Layering Ideas
- A simple musk fragrance to enhance the clean, powdery base.
- A vanilla-centric scent like Fève Délicieuse to amplify the sweetness in the drydown.
- A bright rose fragrance like La Colle Noire to boost the floral heart.
🏆 Final Verdict
Dior's New Look 1947 is more than a perfume; it's a piece of history bottled. It successfully translates the elegance and revolutionary femininity of its namesake fashion collection into a timeless floral fragrance. While its performance is more understated than its name might suggest, its beauty lies in its subtlety and masterful blending. This is not a fragrance that shouts for attention but rather one that exudes quiet confidence and impeccable taste. For those who appreciate the artistry of classic perfumery and seek a versatile, elegant signature scent, New Look 1947 is an essential addition to any collection. It is a tribute to the enduring power of Dior's vision and a testament to the fact that true style never fades.