What to expect at the V&A Museum's largest Christian Dior exhibition

Dubbed “Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams”, it is set to be the museum’s most comprehensive fashion exhibition since Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty in 2015.

Christian Dior with model Sylvie, circa 1948.

Listen up Christian Dior devotees, you’ll want to mark your calendars for this. The world-renowned Victoria & Albert Museum has announced that it will hold the largest – and most expensive – Christian Dior exhibition ever staged in the UK, to be opened beginning February next year.

Dubbed “Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams”, it is set to be the museum’s most comprehensive fashion exhibition since Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty in 2015. It will trace the history and impact of the French Maison since 1947, from the days of its founder to the six artistic directors who have succeeded him, including Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri.

Christian Dior with model Lucky, circa 1955.

Reimagined from the Christian Dior: Couturier du Rêve showcase at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris last year, the exhibition will also explore the couturier’s fascination with British culture for the very first time.

“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,” quoted the press release of the man himself.

Princess Margaret (left), with the Duchess of Marlborough (behind), presents Christian Dior with a scroll entitling him to Honorary Life Membership of the British Red Cross.

In this regard, the exhibition will delve into Monsieur Dior’s collaborations with influential British manufacturers and distinguished British clients, such as author Nancy Mitford and ballet dancer Margot Fonteyn. A special feature will be the Christian Dior dress Princess Margaret wore for her 21st birthday celebration, available graciously on loan from the Museum of London.

On top of that, there will be an extensive showcase of over 500 objects, including over 200 rare haute couture garments and accessories, displayed alongside fashion photography, films, perfumes, make-up, illustrations, magazines, and Monsieur Dior’s personal possessions.

The Trianon dress from Christian Dior’s Autumn Winter 2017 Haute Couture collection, designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri.

The Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition will run from 2 February to 14 July 2019. Tickets will go on sale in Autumn 2018, and if last year’s numbers are anything to go by (the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris attracted over 700,000 visitors – the highest in the museum’s 112-year history) you’ll want to grab a spot sooner rather than later.

For more information or to purchase tickets, log on to the museum’s official website here.

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Images: Courtesy of Christian Dior