An exhibition exploring the work and enduring legacy of fashion designer Christian Dior has just opened at London's V&A museum.
Dior: Designer of Dreams showcases over 500 objects, with 200 haute-couture garments exhibited alongside accessories, fashion photography, perfume, original makeup, illustrations, and magazines. It also includes a selection of Christian Dior's personal possessions.
The late fashion designer’s story, influences and legacy feature in the new show, which has been split into 11 sections including a part looking at Dior’s links to Britain.
There are also sections looking at Dior’s life and his own tenure at the fashion house, at how travel and history influenced the designer and at what each of the artistic directors who succeeded him, including Marc Bohan, Yves Saint Laurent and Maria Grazia Chiuri, brought to the brand. Haute couture is at the heart of the show.
Highlights include a dress worn by Princess Margaret on her 21st birthday, which is on loan from the Museum of London and exhibited alongside a photograph of the princess in the dress taken by Cecil Beaton.
As well as the Princess’ dress which takes pride of place in the centre of the Dior in Britain room, the section also explores some of the designer’s work for British clients and highlights some of his early fashion shows in the UK including his first show at the Savoy hotel. It also looks at the establishment of the Dior London business.
The exhibition also features a “spectacular” ballroom design for the final room, which is filled with a selection of glamorous Dior eveningwear.
The room is complete with a ceiling projection which changes from daylight, to a sparkly night sky, with an image of a classical painting in between — the ambience in the room changes with it.
The show is supported by Swarovski – this has significance as Dior and Swarovski worked together in the past. In 1956, Swarovksi created a crystal “with rainbow-like effects” called Aurora Borealis working alongside Dior, with the fashion house continuing to use Swarovski crystals ever since to add sparkle to its clothes.
The show follows a series of major fashions exhibitions at the V&A, including Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, in 2015.
Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams, runs from 2 February – 14 July 2019 at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RL. Tickets cost £20-24, and concessions cost £15. For more information, see here
