Saturday 2nd February sees the V&A open the largest exhibition ever staged in the UK on the House of Dior.
A magnet for ‘A’ Listers for over seventy years, Dior is behind some of the most celebrated dresses, from Princess Margaret’s 21st birthday gown to splashy red carpet numbers for Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Stone and the cream of Hollywood.
Covering from 1947 to the present day, the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition traces the history and impact of one of the 20th century’s most influential couturiers, and the six artistic directors who have succeeded him, to explore the enduring influence of the French fashion house.
It’s the museum’s biggest fashion exhibition since ‘Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty’ in 2015. So book ahead to bag a ticket.
Christina Dior with model Sylvie, circa 1948.
Divided into 11 sections, the exhibition guides us through a biography on Christian Dior (1905–57), from family life to his early career as a gallery owner and the founding of the House of Dior in 1946, through to the global success of his couture house and the development of Dior perfumes.
Miss Dior limited edition, Baccarat blue crystal, 1947, Parfums Christian Dior.
There is a focus on The New Look, and Dior’s famed Bar Suit from his ground-breaking first collection in 1947 – which set the post-war fashion world alight – and how subsequent Dior designers have reinterpreted it over the years.
Christian Dior, Bar Suit, Haute Couture SS1947, (c) Laziz Hamani, V&A Museum.
We see Dior’s 10 defining looks from 1947-1957, as well as a look at the designer’s love of England and his British clients, including the Royals.
Christian Dior, Fête joyeuse Evening Dress, SS1955, (c) Laziz Hamani, V&A Museum.
There’s a spotlight on the work of the subsequent six key artistic directors since Christian Dior’s death in 1957, from Yves Saint Laurent and Raf Simons…
Christian Dior by Raf Simons, Coat Haute Couture, AW2012, (c) Laziz Hamani.
…to its first female artistic director, Maria Grazia Chiuri.
Christian Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dress SS2018, (c) Laziz Hamani.
The exhibition has been curated for the V&A by Oriole Cullen and designed by Nathalie Crinière.
Christian Dior with model Lucky, circa 1955.
Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams
2 February – 14 July 2019
The Sainsbury Gallery, V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL
Supported by Swarovski, with further support from American Express
