Saturday 11 May 2013

Dior's Blast from the Past

For moments of serene inspiration why not visiting the Christian Dior Museum of Granville? Its latest exhibition  - Impressions Dior - celebrates the influence of the impressionism art movement on Maison Dior's aesthetics. Impressionist painters went outdoors to express their direct intuitive vision, it was all about light, colour and movement. 



Christian Dior

                     

This new found artistic freedom has inspired Christian Dior to depict the woman as a flower with his legendary "New Look" in 1947, aimed to bring back the Belle Époque. Christian Dior's autobiography describes the interior of the villa Les Rhumbs and devotes long passages to the cliff top garden he designed with his mother Madeleine. 



Christian Dior
Right: the pergola decorated with roses in the garden of the villa Les Rhumbs in Granville. Musée Christian Dior collection, Granville. Left: Rose de France afternoon dress in taffeta with coloured rose print, Spring-Summer 1956 Haute Couture collection, Flèche line ©LazizHamani


He was as captivated by an open-air lifestyle as impressionists themselves. It's important to remember the impressionism art movement captures the transient effects of light in brilliant compositions, depicting landscapes and scenes of modern life painted outdoors. Le déjeuner des canotiers by Renoir is a particularly vivid representation of the bright sunlight and the energy of social gatherings. 



Christian Dior
Left: Marie Bracquemond (1841-1916), Three Women with Parasols, oil on canvas. Paris, Musée d'Orsay. ©Patrice Schimdt/RMN-Grand Palais (Musée d'Orsay). Right: Amber Valetta inspired by Renoir, Anna Mikhaylik inspired by Seurat and Vivienne Orth inspired by Manet models, Autumn-Winter 2007 Haute Couture collection. Christian Dior by John Galliano. ©LazizHamani


Impressions Dior establishes an interesting dialogue between more than 70 dresses with a selection of masterpieces from impressionist painters, ranging from Monet to Degas, Renoir to Berthe Morisot. Throughout this exhibition it's possible to assert the permanent links that have been weaving the Maison Dior to impressionism. Is there a better way to brighten up your spring?




Christian Dior
Left: Berthe Morisot, Tulips, watercolour on paper, 1890. Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris. ©Marmottan Monet Museum, Paris/Giraudon/The Bridgeman Art Library. Right: Helvétie dance dress in white organdie, embroidered with crescent moons in blue lace and sequins. Spring-Summer 1956 Haute Couture collection, Flèche line, ©LazizHamani.  

Granville, Normandy
Ends September 22nd 2013




Christian Dior by Raf Simons
Christian Dior by Raf Simons, Autumn/Winter 2013-14
(photos edited from vogue.it)




Other relates blog posts:
Visit Dior at Harrods
Manet: Portraying Life
Oscars Style 2013