Following its success at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition will make its next port of call at the Saudi National Museum in Riyadh – from November 21, 2024, to April 2, 2025, as part of Riyadh Season 2024
Cadenced thanks to an unprecedented narrative conceived by curator Florence Müller and scenographer Nathalie Crinière, this fabulous retrospective brings to life over seventy-five years of creative audacity initiated by the pioneering vision of Christian Dior.
As a captivating preamble, the visit opens on an incredible immersion in the heart of 30 Montaigne, that “realm of dreams” where the House’s haute couture collections come alive. The second space pursues this journey over time, notably through the love of art cultivated by Monsieur Dior, who was a gallery owner before becoming a couturier.
From 1947 to the present day, the influence of the various Artistic Directors is highlighted by portraits signed by the painter Y an Pei-Ming. These poetic images are superimposed on the emblematic silhouettes of Christian Dior’s successors. The launch of the House’s first ready-to-wear line – named Miss Dior and orchestrated by Philippe Guibourgé at Marc Bohan’s instigation – is additionally featured in a unique space with a resolutely pop spirit, retranscribing the freshness and energy of this new fashion, imbued with all the effervescence of the Sixties. Dedicated to the savoir-faire of the ateliers, the unmissable salle des toiles celebrates the virtuoso excellence of the petites mains.
From one Dior code to another, the multiple themes dear to the Maison are revealed in turn – from Miss Dior to J’adore , from the passion for Versailles to that for balls and dazzling parties – while the Colorama, a bewitching cabinet of curiosities, reaffirms the essential role of Dior accessories. The Lady Dior bag, a timeless icon of the House, metamorphoses according to the works that have traveled the globe for the nine editions of the Dior Lady Art project.
Reflecting the fascination shared by Dior and Saudi Arabia for the wonders of nature, an enchanted setting and ode to the authentic, preserved beauty of the Al-’Ula oasis – an ancestral treasure of the province of Medina – hosts a series of dresses in hypnotic shades, evoking those of the sun embracing the desert.
The ultimate surprise is an idyllic stroll that puts Christian Dior’s infatuation with the plant world into perspective – a subtle homage to the meaning of Riyadh (“gardens” in Arabic) – through to looks magnified by delicate ornamentation or romantic prints, resulting in a sumptuous couture herbarium.
An odyssey from yesterday to today, in the name of dreams and Dior elegance.
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