April 19, 2024 |
If Maria Grazia Chiuri is imprinting anything on her ever-strengthening legacy at Dior, it’s her unwavering and irreverent love for women. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that this passion is spilling over from the catwalk and into the house’s flair for preserving and celebrating its past.
Orchestrated by Chiuri, the French maison opened an exhibition last year at La Galerie Dior, nestled in the brand’s longstanding home at 30 Montaigne in Paris, paying homage to the multitude of female-helmed collaborations that have peppered its 78-year-long history. Exploring the evolution of the house’s style from Christian Dior up to Grazia Chiuri, the display opened is set to close May 13.
Positioning Monsieur Dior’s love for art at its centre, born from his early career as the owner of a Parisian gallery, the exhibition features work from prominent female artists who have influenced Dior’s widespread output. One space is dedicated to Mexican artist Elina Chauvet, who collaborated with Chiuri for the most recent Dior Cruise show to create white cotton garments stitched with words and symbols that denounce domestic violence and reflect the house’s 1954 collection. Another space is dedicated to the trailblazing French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle, who acted as a muse to creative directors like Marc Bohan, with pieces inspired by both her and her bold sculptures together for the first time. The section ‘Chambre aux Merveilles’ emphasises the influence of femininity and creativity on the house’s success, with various interpretations of the legendary Lady Dior bag developed by various female artists on display.
Intended to move beyond the concept of a retrospective, the exhibition is a remarkable testament to Dior’s enduring commitment to celebrating the power and beauty of womanhood. A wondrous display, viewers are given the unique opportunity to truly immerse themselves in the artistic influences that have contributed to the house’s monumental success and it’s not one to miss. Tickets are available to purchase here.
Photography by Adrien Dirand.
