Saturday 16 March 2013

Visit Dior at Harrods

In 1953, Harrods launched its Fashion Theatre, inaugurating it with a Christian Dior London show at which Dior himself was present. The Dior collections were presented there regularly until the late 1960s. Celebrating the occasion, they have joined forces to depict the heritage of the brand while celebrating its new creative vision by Raf Simons.  


Dior SS13 dress by Raf Simons, Christian Dior and Princess Margaret,
Miss Dior bottle exclusively designed for Princess Grace of Monaco (1960) 


"We are thrilled to be partnering with Dior, one of our most successful global luxury brands, on such an exciting venture." Marigay McKee, Chief Merchant, Harrods 

In 1947, Christian Dior presented his first collection and put the fashion world at his feet with his renowned New Look, accentuating the feminine silhouette. This is one of many iconic moments of the brand being staged at a beautifully curated space on Harrods's fourth floor.  



Dior's New Look and Lady Dior bag


A theatrical composition of forty mini-Stockman manequinns boasts Dior's defining hits over the decades. Other highlights include the Lady Dior bag, named after Princess Diana. There are different sized objects playing up with our perception, we almost feel like Alice in Wonderland when facing a gigantic bag which is also a blank canvas for video projection.



Theatrical composition of Dior's hits


This ultimate Dior experience begins with a superb facade of 30 avenue Montaigne - where the Paris house is located - encouraging us to sneak in, revealing miniature perfume bottles thoughtfully displayed. Let's not forget Christian Dior considered perfume to be "the indispensable compliment to the personality of women, the finishing touch on a dress".



Dior Maison


A few hand-picked dresses are also on display, from a vintage 1960 Dior dress to the recent modern take on the purity and force of the Dior line by Raf Simons. Dior's silhouette is also depicted by an image stuck in our memory when John Galliano took over the Palace de Versailles for the 60th-anniversary collection, where supermodels wore sumptuous gowns inspired by great artists such as Goya and Velázquez. 



Dior's silhouette


Gisele Bundchen couldn't be any more ravishing as she walked down the 500-foot catwalk. But Dior's universe wouldn't be complete without the women who are the brand's ambassadors: Marion Cotillard, Charlize Theron, Natalie Portman, and Jennifer Lawrence who looked like a princess on the latest Oscars ceremony.



Dior's 60th-anniversary collection


It's possible to watch a series of mini-films shot in four cities, each by a different director including Lady Blue Shanghai by David Lynch starring one of Dior's faces Marion Cotillard. Christian Dior also loved the silver screen and many stars of his time trusted him to dress their characters on film such as Marlene Dietrich. 



Marion Cotillard and Natalia Vodianova at the latest Dior catwalk show
(photos: Michel Dufour)


Dior continues to seduce a lot of celebrities to this day, who gather in Paris to attend its sought-after catwalk show, embracing the brand's latest creations by Raf Simons. If you're in London or planning to visit the city in the near future, it's worth visiting this petit cadeau



Dior's latest catwalk show A/W 13-14


Dior at Harrods
March 16 - April 14



Other related blog posts:
Oscars Style 2013
Stars in Dior
Dior Couture by Demarchelier