Seventy years ago, Christian Dior’s first tailoring workshop was founded at number 30, avenue Montaigne in Paris. Since then, the atelier has had a special meaning for the French fashion house – the premises have regularly become the backdrop for various meetings of the fashion world. The collections are still made there today. Now the fashion house has opened the Galerie Dior, a museum that tells the story of Dior in thirteen chapters.
Designed by exhibition designer Nathalie Crinière, La Galerie Dior sketches a journey through time through the Parisian epic of haute couture, beauty and perfume. The thirteen sections are a summary of special moments of the house. From the beginnings of the fashion studio to creations that made fashion history – the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through Dior history.
Christian Dior: How it all began
Within a decade, Christian Dior revolutionized contemporary women’s fashion with his ‘New Look’ that redefined elegance and femininity.
Inspired by enchanted gardens
The charm of gardens has always been an inspiration for the fashion designer. His appreciation for flowers was often reflected in his creations, such as the ‘femme fleur’ silhouette he created in his first collection and the rose and lily motifs that adorned his dresses.
The role of art
In 1928, to the chagrin of his parents, Christian Dior opened a gallery where he exhibited artists such as Max Ernst, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró. Over the years he became friends with Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau.
The studio of dreams
The elaborate Dior dresses, which require a high level of sewing skills, are brought to life by the employees of the Dior atelier, sometimes within a few days, through tireless skill and innovative techniques. The prototypes are made of white fabric.
Paris and Parisians
Christian Dior is always inspired by the flair of the French capital. The designer misappropriated building and street names as titles for his haute couture designs and the Parisian became an indispensable muse for him.
Dior around the world
Christian Dior established an international network of Dior enthusiasts through his love of travel. But not only the designer himself was cosmopolitan – his successors, including Yves Saint Laurent and Raf Simons – also incorporated different cultures into their Dior creations: whether Chinese silk, Inca art or Japanese costumes, the Dior collections showed cultural elements the whole world.
Big celebrations
The decadent balls of the 20th century have always been part of the Dior design philosophy. In homage to Christian Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri heralded her debut as creative director in 2016 with a collection inspired by a masked ball.
Miss Dior
In 1947, Dior launched the ‘Miss Dior’ perfume, which has remained a classic to this day. Two years later, Christian Dior designed a dress of the same name, which has since appeared again and again in different versions, interpreted by subsequent Dior designers.
J’adore Dior
In 1999, perfumer Calice Becker created the gold ‘J’adore Dior’ perfume. The bottle is inspired by Christian Dior’s ‘En 8’ collection from 1946. The ‘J’adore’ muse becomes a modern icon of the Dior woman in the 21st century.
La Galerie Dior is open now, but visitors must make a prior reservation on the museum’s website.