Inside the Dioriviera pop-up universe at Macalister Mansion, Penang

Designer pop-ups are gaining popularity worldwide, particularly during the summer season. After all, this is often the time of the year when those in the northern hemisphere satisfy their thirst for travel and exploration. Pop-ups are designed to meet this need, offering a unique lifestyle retail experience with the promise of exclusivity and excitement due to their temporary presence.

While it may feel like “summer” all year round in Malaysia, we are no less susceptible to the allure of designer pop-ups in our corner of the globe. One prime example is the Dioriviera pop-up, which returns for a third time after its debut in Desaru Coast in 2023, followed by a city showcase in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur last year.

This time, the House of Dior brings a taste of the French Riviera to Penang. Taking over the iconic Macalister Mansion in George Town from 13 June to 11 August, 2025, the Dioriviera Penang pop-up celebrates founder Monsieur Christian Dior’s love of travel while echoing the spirit of an eternal summer.

 

Sun, shade, and spectacle

 

Paying tribute to seasonal art de vivre, the Dioriviera Penang pop-up features dreamy outdoor and indoor spaces drenched in a light, summery palette. Welcoming visitors near the entrance of Macalister Mansion is a “jungle” populated by life-sized elephants, giraffes, tigers, cacti, and palm trees crafted from bamboo and woven rattan – reflecting the wildlife featured in the maison’s Toile de Jouy Sauvage and Toile de Jouy Palms prints.

This tropical theme continues inside the pop-up boutique as well as the outdoor Dior Bamboo house, both housing the latest Dioriviera 2025 collection. Meanwhile, the lush terrace is punctuated with Dior parasols and deckchairs adorned with the emblematic Toile de Jouy motifs. There’s also a man-made “pool” filled with animal-shaped floats, adding a beach club vibe to the magical setting.

 

 

To celebrate the launch of the pop-up, Dior hosted an exclusive party highlighted by a projection mapping of the flora and fauna featured throughout the space and collection. The premiere evening culminated in a fantastical fireworks display that earned audible admiration from the crowd, which included some of Malaysia’s most stylish personalities. Among the glitterati spotted at the event were Ameera Khan, Marion Caunter, Eyka Farhana, Bella Astillah, Lisha Ho, Rizman Nordin, and Nurida Suraya, to name a few.

 

Dioriviera 2025: Reimagined prints in fresh colours

 

Space aside, the collection itself is worth a trip for fashion enthusiasts and fans of the maison. As Maria Grazia Chiuri’s final Dioriviera collection before her departure, this may well be a capsule you’ll want to add to your closet. The lineup includes a range of ready-to-wear clothing, footwear, beach accessories, and bags – revisiting the Toile de Jouy Sauvage print in new turquoise and pink tones or reimagined in the Toile de Jouy Palms motif featuring dense jungle imagery.

These prints are seen across an array of summer-ready garments, including silk dresses, skirts, tops, and accessories, as well as ponchos and sarongs. You’ll also find them applied on the Lady D-Lite and Dior Book Tote bags, while accessories like the D-Bobby straw hat and Teddy-D hat are accented with raffia bases, leather cords, and aquatic-themed charms.

As for footwear, the Dway and Dioract mules combine comfort and modernity for your summer getaways. Then, there’s the D-Sand sandals, fitted with dangling charms for a whimsical touch. For a more timeless look, the white satin Dior Lucky sneakers offer a feminine, summery allure. Rounding off the collection is the Dior Cabinet d’Été jewellery line and handbag charms that continue to celebrate the Toile de Jouy Sauvage bestiary.

 

 

Dior Café blends French and Penang influences

 

Completing the Dioriviera pop-up is the sixth interpretation of the Dior Café, revisiting the brand’s longstanding partnership with Executive Chef Raymond Tham of the KARLS Group. The menu serves as a love letter to France and Penang, blending the stories and heritage of both cultures through taste and craftsmanship.

“As always, I find deep inspiration in the vision of Madame Maria Grazia Chiuri – her creativity challenges me to explore new narratives through taste, texture, and memory. For Dioriviera 2025, I wanted to create a menu that is both an homage and a conversation: between Dior’s timeless elegance and our region’s vibrant, layered flavours,” Chef Raymond said.

For this edition of the Dior Café, he has curated a menu that blends refined French culinary techniques with ingredients rooted in local heritage. For example, there’s a cured and smoked salmon dish incorporating Penang’s famous nutmeg and Malaysia’s traditional ulam herbs. Other highlights include Cod with Assam Pedas and Braised Jicama, Chicken Roulade with Corn-Cauliflower Puree & Masak Hitam, and Wagyu with Black Garlic and Lor Bak.

 

As far as designer pop-ups go, Dioriviera Penang stands out as a true destination in its own right – combining fashion, dining, lifestyle, and travel experiences that appeal to diverse audiences.

The Dioriviera Penang pop-up is open to the public daily from 11am to 9pm, while Dior Café welcomes guests from 10.30am to 9pm. Registration via this website is recommended to secure your spot.

 

Photos courtesy of Dior

Videography: Khairul Irsyaduddin & Imran Sulaiman