“Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams” at the V&A
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It is not hard to see why Christian Dior’s “New Look,” created after World War II, was considered revolutionary: Putting behind the uniform-like wartime fashion characterized by padded shoulders and short skirts, Dior introduced a style that was feminin“Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams” at the V&A
It is not hard to see why Christian Dior’s “New Look,” created after World War II, was considered revolutionary: Putting behind the uniform-like wartime fashion characterized by padded shoulders and short skirts, Dior introduced a style that was feminine, with smaller shoulders, a cinched waist and voluminous skirts. But it was the lowered hemline that really gained the New Look its international fame. With his long, full skirts over bouffant ruffled petticoats, Dior truly was designing dreams.The exhibition at the V&A, supported by Swarovski, spans from 1947 to this day, tracing the history and impact of one of the 20th century’s most influential couturiers, who continues to influence fashion trends through the six artistic directors that have succeeded him.The exhibition, which runs from February 2 to July 14, also explores Dior’s relationship with Britain. The V&A website prominently displays the designer’s sentiment in his own words: “There is no other country in the world, besides my own, whose way of life I like so much. I love English traditions, English politeness, English architecture. I even love English cooking.”This is the largest and most comprehensive Christian Dior exhibition ever held in Britain, and a re-imagination of the Parisian show, “Christian Dior: Couturier du Reve,” held in 2017 at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs to mark the fashion house’s 70th anniversary.The V&A exhibition will show at the museum’s Sainsbury Gallery and feature 500 curated objects in 11 sections. It will include a spotlight on Dior’s relationship with the British royal family, for whom he designed clothing and staged secret shows.The Dior dress worn by Princess Margaret on her 21st birthday will also be on display, on loan from the Museum of London.— “Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams” is on view at the Sainsbury Gallery, V&A, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL, from February 2 through July 14. More information on www.vam.ac.uk This column appears in the February 2019 edition of BlouinShop. Subscribe at www.blouinsubscriptions.comhttps://www.blouinartinfo.com/ Founder: Louise Blouin Read more