Easily one of the best museum shows of 2021 – Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams at the Brooklyn Museum, on view through February 20, 2022. It chronicles the design house from the beginning under Mr. Dior himself and all the other designers that followed – Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and the latest Maria Grazia Chiuri. The exhibition brings into view many sources of Dior’s inspiration—from flowers and other natural forms to classical and contemporary art which together is magically transformed in the beautiful haute couture pieces. The Dior brand continues to delight fashion aficionados and inspire other creatives with its elegant and sophisticated designs true to the house’s legacy.
Featured image: Christian Dior – Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 1950, cocktail ensemble in satin consisting of a short bustier dress and coat.
Christian Dior – New York Autumn/Winter 1953 (gold satin evening gown and black cotton broadcloth dress) and Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 1950 (red silk satin gown)Christian Dior – Haute Couture Spring/Summer 1947, ensemble with silk shantung jacket and wool pleated skirt. Dubbed the ‘New Look’. Yves Saint Laurent – Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 1959 ensembles. Yves Saint Laurent – Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 1959 cocktail dress in silk faille.Photographers capturing the Dior look from left to right: Henry Clarke 1950, Karen Radkai 1955, Henry Clarke 1956, William Hepburn 1956Gianfranco Ferré – Haute Couture Spring/Summer 1992 ivory long pleated dress in georgette crepe; Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 1989 black silk crepe dress with large bow. Raf Simons – Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2014, ensemble with coat in embroidered wool, top and pants in wool. Gianfranco Ferré – Haute Couture Spring/Summer 1992 long pleated print gown in organza. Photographers capturing the Dior look from left to right: David Lachapelle 2003 and 1997, Michael Thompson 1997, Steven Meisel 2018. John Galliano – Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2000, overalls in newspaper print silk taffeta with waistcoat in silk moiré. John Galliano – Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2004, silk embroidered satin. Richard Avedon’s iconic image: Dovima with Elephants 1955, Christian Dior – Autumn/Winter 1955 sheath dress in velvet with obi-style satin sash. Maria Grazia Chiuri – Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020, gown in draped tulle. Wide array of colors over the years. Magazine covers featuring Dior. Christian Dior – Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 1948, traveling coat in wool. From the Dior Atelier – toile (test garment) based on designer sketches.John Galliano – Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2006. Wall of toiles. Dongyoo Kim: Dior, 2015 oil on canvas. Painting is made up of small portraits of Marilyn Monroe.Detail of Dongyoo Kim painting.
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Any pictures of artworks in galleries shown are taken with permission from gallery personnel and/or artist. Images from museums are taken where there were no visible postings prohibiting photography. All articles and photography by Avril Ives all rights reserved.
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