Christian Dior, dream couturier” at the Museum of Decorative Arts from July 5, 2017 to January 7, 2018

The exhibition “Christian Dior, couturier du rêve,” held at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs from July 5, 2017, to January 7, 2018, is a truly magical experience. Celebrating 70 years of the iconic fashion house, it stands as one of the most stunning exhibitions currently in Paris.

Visitors are transported into the world of Christian Dior and the artistic directors who succeeded him: Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons, and Maria Grazia Chiuri. The exhibition showcases over 300 haute couture dresses alongside fashion accessories, perfumes, drawings, photographs, illustrations, letters, and manuscripts, illustrating the history of the House from 1947 to the present.

The exhibition is spread across six galleries, each reflecting a distinct theme:

• Art Gallery
• Workshop
• Street
• Eighteenth-Century Boudoir
• Journey
• Garden with a nod to the House’s connection with the world of art

Christian Dior, a self-taught fashion icon with no formal diploma, emerged from a family of Norman industrialists. Initially pursuing a diplomatic career at the École des Sciences Politiques, he left in 1926 to follow his passion for the arts. As an avid collector and decorator influenced by the 18th century, Dior mingled with notable artists like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Bernard Buffet, and others.

The 1929 crisis and subsequent events, including his mother’s death and his father’s financial ruin, led to the closure of his art gallery in 1934. Dior shifted his focus to costume design for theater and film, eventually working with renowned couturiers like Robert Piguet and Lucien Lelong. His partnership with industrialist Marcel Boussac secured the funding to establish his own fashion house, which officially launched on October 8, 1946, on Avenue Montaigne. The success of Dior’s first collection in 1947 marked the beginning of a prosperous era for the fashion house, epitomizing French elegance globally.

Jean Cocteau famously described Christian Dior’s name as “made of God and gold.” Dior’s designs often blend classic and modern elements, drawing inspiration from the 18th century, which evokes his childhood memories.

Dior’s fashion showcases elements of 18th-century décor, including white moldings, Trianon gray woodwork, and Louis XVI medallion armchairs. His dresses frequently reference paintings, sculptures, and neoclassical art, with a notable fascination for floral themes.

This exhibition is not only a remarkable retrospective of Dior’s illustrious fashion house but also a masterclass in elegant styling. It is an absolute must-see!

Christian Dior at the Museum of Decorative Arts

• Dates: July 5, 2017 to January 7, 2018
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm; Thursday until 9 pm
• Admission: Full price: €11.00 – Reduced price: €8.50