I recently had the opportunity to take in the Christian Dior exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Christian Dior Exhibit ROM
A brief bio on Christian Dior
Dior’s parents envisioned a diplomatic life for their son however Christian’s interests were in architecture and art. He briefly owned a successful art gallery which collapsed with the Great Depression. Afterwards, to make ends meet, he sold his fashion sketches and eventually landed several jobs with design houses allowing him to perfect his designing skills. At the age of 41 Christian Dior chose to open his own design house where he revolutionized and dominated the fashion industry for a decade. He was one of the first to grow his brand through licensing deals of perfumes, stockings, accessories, jewellery, shoes and handbags.
He died at the early age of 52 from a heart attack.
What I found extremely interesting in this exhibit was how Dior’s sketches were left open to the interpretation of the flou (dressmaker) or tailleur (tailor).
These geniuses were truly able to see beyond the mere sketches before them and interpret the dream.
Some of the sketches were so vague I marvelled at the details of the finished gowns.
The imagination and skill level of the team members and artisans required to realize these visions was astounding.
Specialists were brought in to do beading and embellishments.
Every piece Christian Dior designed was given a name.
The year and the season were often woven into the label.
Each collection had between 150-175 designs suitable for all times of the day.
I noticed that often they were marked, morning dress, afternoon dress, early evening dress, dinner dress or late evening dress. Apparently you were expected to change four or more times a day.
Each sketch was assigned a head seamstress or tailor to interpret Dior’s sketches and turn them into reality.
Every dress was designed for one in house model to her exact measurements and only she modelled that particular dress.
Once the dress was completed all items such as fabric and trims were recorded.
Each one of Dior’s designs were made to order so you could choose the fabric and trims to personalize your dress.
“…some people will always wear a brooch in the same place…Another woman with fashion sense will…pin it, with a coloured chiffon scarf, to the hip pocket of her suit – it will look marvellous and be twice as effective.” – Christian Dior
” A wise woman never discards a dinner or evening dress that’s becoming to her, no matter how often she’s worn it.” – Christian Dior
“There is no key [to good dressing] If there were it would be too easy, rich women could buy the key and all their fashion worries would be over! But simplicity, grooming and good taste… cannot be bought… they can be learnt, by rich and poor alike.” – Christian Dior
I created a thrifted outfit inspired by Christian Dior.
Everything I’m wearing is vintage.
The tight fitted jacket with overstated puffy shoulders and the fuller skirt is reminiscent of la Belle Époque which was Dior’s inspiration for many of his deigns. My 1980s’s jacket is embroidered with floral flocking. Dior was partial to embellished pieces.
Are you a fan of Dior?
Linking up with the lovely Patti for Visible Monday.
You must be logged in to post a comment.