Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams

There is always a sense of anticipation and expectation surrounding any exhibition at the V&A, however when paired with a name like that of Christian Dior, that sense of expectation increases tenfold. As such, it came as no surprise that Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams which opened in February 2019 became the museum's most visited exhibition of all time, with tickets selling out quickly and a decision being made to extend the exhibition until September.

The exhibition was, as the V&A hoped when they initially announced their plans to host one of the greatest and most infamous designers of all time, an unequivocal success. With over 200 rare Haute Couture garments spanning from the inception of the house of Dior to the modern day, insights into the life of the man himself and beautiful themes and layouts to compliment and tie together the designs on show, the exhibition really was a sight to behold.

For any lover of fashion, or even those with a fleeting interest, Christian Dior designer of dreams is a must see, a breathtaking display of art and craftsmanship, a rare glimpse into the sheer beauty of haute couture and the house of Dior. From the infamous bar ensemble to the corolla and en 8 silhouettes, the V&A exhibition includes some of the most well-known and recognised designs in Dior’s history.

Made up of multiple rooms, the exhibition takes you on a journey through time, from Dior’s original creations, through to the modern day house of Dior and finishing with the most spectacular display of evening wear and ball gowns that have graced royalty, red carpets and a whole multitude of well-known names. There are works from all of Dior's creative directors, from the early works of the man himself and Yves Saint Laurent right through to the modern creations of Maria Grazia Chiuri and everyone in between. The collection of such a large number of garments all in one exhibition offers an insight into the evolution of Dior, whilst also highlighting the its ongoing and homage to Dior's original designs albeit in different forms by his predecessors.

What is perhaps most striking about the exhibition is the detail and effort that has gone into the layout, engineering each room to reflect the garments on display. Be it the homage to Versailles or the stunning garden and floral motifs that take your breath away as much as the garments themselves, the exhibition was expertly designed to create the most visually stunning experience. Most breathtaking of all is the finale, 'the ballroom', a stunning display of many years worth of custom-made Dior evening gowns that have been worn by actresses, musicians, princesses and more.

For those who weren't lucky enough to see the collection first-time round have the chance to virtually experience it on the designers Youtube page. If you have a little spare time in lockdown, then I would highly recommend you watching the video and experiencing the collection for yourself.