Christian Dior SA (more commonly known as Dior) is a French clothing retailer, uner control of the LVMH group. The company was founded by fashion designer Christian Dior. Christian Dior SA itself controls 42% of LVMH assets, which holds other fashion brands such as Kenzo, Givenchy and Louis Vuitton. The holding company's operating unit, Christian Dior Couture, designs and makes some of the world's most coveted haute couture, as well as luxury ready-to-wear fashion, menswear and accessories. Christian Dior operates about 160 boutiques worldwide with plans to open more in the coming years. Its headquarters are located in Paris, rue François 1er. In 1998 it purchased Gerbe Paris, a French hosiery maker that had gone bankrupt. It is a major part of the business empire of Bernard Arnault, who is one of the richest people in the world.