The fashion house Dior is definitely on the list of being one the most prestigious luxury designer brands in the industry. With its list of clients from the royal family to A-list celebrities, the house has built a high reputation for itself. It was founded by Christian Dior in 1947 and has grown very much over the past 70 years.
In celebration of the designer’s greatest achievements, the fashion house’s history and evolution will be displayed at the Dior exhibition, Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams, at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum from February 2019. The exhibition will look back at the brands success and accomplishments, as it showcases 500 objects including makeup, photography, illustrations, accessories and some of their exquisite haute couture pieces.
The Sainsbury Gallery of the V&A will be completely transformed into a wonderful spectacle, which will tell the story that formed the French fashion house into a global name. The V&A’s curator Oriole Cullen and set designer Nathalie Crinière will help bring the Dior exhibition to life, organised by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, by creating a new image in the gallery space at one of London’s leading museums, ensuring it fits with Dior’s aesthetic and look.
The exhibition will also highlight Dior’s link to Britain, a place the designer grew a fond fascination for. Cullen tells Vogue “It was a very formative moment, and something he really associates with freedom and falling in love. From the grandeur of the great houses and gardens and British-designed ocean liners to the food he ate, which, most found less than appealing in the '50s, the culture became an endless pool of inspiration for him.” Christian Dior evidently had a great admiration for Britain, which makes the exhibition being held in London even more special, as the location itself tells us a lot about the designer’s personal story and adds further sentiment. One of the key pieces on display at the exhibition will be the ensemble that was made for Princess Margaret to wear for her 21st birthday, again showing the designer’s connection to Britain, and his significant success having designed a dress for a royal.
Other objects on display include illustrations and sketches by Christian Dior himself, of designs such as one “for model Londres, Autumn-Winter 1950 Haute Couture collection”. As well as photographs such as a one of Christian Dior with Princess Margaret as she is “entitling him to Honorary Life Membership of the British Red Cross”. [pullquote]Even though this is a fashion exhibition, there will be something for everyone to enjoy, whether it be makeup, photography, art or even history.[/pullquote] This will be one of the biggest fashion exhibitions the V&A has hosted since Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty in 2015. The exhibition will be more than just a normal display, but a whole visual and spectacular experience. It will be as if you are stepping into a different world away from reality, stepping back in time, watching Dior’s story unfold before your very eyes.
The Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition is set to take place from 2nd February – 14th July 2019 in the V&A’s Sainsbury Gallery. The tickets are on sale now to purchase, so if you are a fan of fashion, art, photography, beauty, and want to take a look into the world of Dior, purchase a ticket and discover its journey.