Christian Dior Exhibition opens at V&A, Supported by Swarovski

The exhibition is sponsored by Swarovski, who have a longstanding history of collaboration with Dior. In 1956, Swarovski worked with Monsieur Dior to create a unique crystal with rainbow-like effects called Aurora Borealis. Since then, the partnership has grown ever stronger, with each of Dior’s artistic directors using Swarovski crystals to realize their vision.

Nadja Swarovski, of the Swarovski Executive Board, said: “The histories of Swarovski and Dior have been intertwined since the 1950s, when my grandfather worked alongside Monsieur Dior himself to develop the Aurora Borealis crystal. It is wonderful to honor the incredible heritage of the House of Dior and to celebrate its enduring influence, which is beautifully captured in this breath-taking show.”

Based on the major exhibition Christian Dior: Couturier du Rêve, organised by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, the exhibition is reimagined for the V&A. A brand-new section explores, for the first time, the designer’s fascination with British culture. Dior admired the grandeur of the great houses and gardens of Britain, as well as British-designed ocean liners, including the Queen Mary. He also favoured Savile Row suits. His first UK fashion show took place at London’s Savoy Hotel, and in 1952 he established Christian Dior London.

Dior attracted many famous British clientele, from author Nancy Mitford to ballet dancer Margot Fonteyn. A highlight is the Christian Dior dress worn by Princess Margaret for her 21st birthday celebrations, on loan from the Museum of London following conservation work.

Drawn from the extensive Dior Archives, the exhibition presents over 500 objects, with over 200 rare Haute Couture garments shown alongside accessories, fashion photography, film, vintage perfume, original make-up, illustrations, magazines, and Christian Dior’s personal possessions. Alongside many pieces solely created by Dior, stand a few that were famously collaborated on. Dior’s willingness to acknowledge other manufacturers expertise within certain fields is a fundamental part of what keeps them innovative. Notable collaborations include partnerships between Dior and Dents (gloves), Lyle & Scott (knitwear), Rayne (shoes) and Mitchel Maer (costume jewellery). 

Within the exhibition are several areas, each focusing on a different aspect of the House’ history:

• Christian Dior offers an extended 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. It encompasses Dior’s extensive travel, the global success of his Couture House and the development of Dior perfumes.

• The New Look focuses on Dior’s famed Bar Suit from his ground-breaking first collection in 1947 and considers how subsequent Dior designers have reinterpreted it over the years.

• The Dior Line showcases ten defining looks made between 1947 and 1957, Christian Dior’s own tenure at the House.

• Dior in Britain uncovers Christian Dior’s personal love of England and his British client’s reciprocal love for his fashion. Focusing mostly on Dior’s lifetime, it highlights early Dior fashion shows staged in country houses and grand hotels around Britain, the Dior London company and British clients.

• Historicism examines the influence of historic dress and decorative arts in the House of Dior’s designs from 1947 to today, encompassing Dior’s love of the 18th century, and the Belle Époque fashions worn by his mother, Madeleine Dior. 

• Travels explores how travel and different countries and cultures have consistently 

inspired the various designers at the House of Dior.

• The Garden highlights the importance of flowers and gardens as a source of inspiration to the House, from garments to perfume.

• Designers for Dior spotlights the work of the subsequent six key artistic directors since Christian Dior’s death in 1957.

• The Ateliers showcases toiles from the Dior Ateliers in a stunning ‘cabinet of curiosity’ style installation.

• Diorama examines the breadth of the House of Dior, from accessories including costume jewellery, hats, shoes and bags, to illustrations, miniature dresses and archive lipstick and perfume, bottles, collected in a kaleidoscopic display. This section spotlights the key creative partners of the House from the past 70 years, including Roger Vivier Stephen Jones, René Gruau, Serge Lutens and Swarovski, Christian Dior’s first choice for crystals to embellish his creations.

• The Ballroom celebrates the fantasy of the Ball, evoking the lavish interiors of the great houses of Britain. Showcasing 70 years of stunning formal evening wear, this section reveals the incredible skill of the Haute Couture ateliers. 

Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams is the latest in the V&A’s series of major fashion exhibitions, including Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty; The Glamour of Italian Fashion: 1945-2014; The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957. In 2017, the V&A staged a retrospective on Cristóbal Balenciaga, and in 2018 the V&A opened Fashioned From Nature – the first UK exhibition to explore the complex relationship between fashion and nature from 1600 to the present day. The V&A’s fashion collection is designated as the UK’s National Collection and is one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of dress in the world. The exhibition Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams runs from 2 February – 14 July 2019.