On September 8th, a new kind of magic touched down in Brooklyn. Christian Dior's Designer of Dreams exhibit opened at the Brooklyn Museum, and a fantasy fashion fête ensued. The Brooklyn Museum's famous Beaux-Arts Court was transformed into a Dior garden, complete with bushes trimmed into the shape of a Dior mannequin. Though the event was gorgeous and well attended (Maria Grazia Chiuri herself was there), the real star of the show was the Designer of Dreams exhibit.
The exhibit was full of Christian Dior's most iconic garments, the legendary editorials showcasing Dior's designs, and projections of what can only be described as fairy dust, giving the exhibit a transcendental quality.
The exhibit traveled to the Brooklyn Museum after its momentous success at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and opened to the public on September 10th. Curated by Florence Müller and Matthew Yokobosky, the Brooklyn Museum's iteration of the exhibit features pieces from the museum's permanent collection, some of Dior's earliest haute couture designs, and several designs that have never been on display until now.
Though beautiful fashion abounds, and the Enchanted Garden of dresses cascading down from the ceiling feels like something out of Cinderella, the exhibit also heavily focuses on Dior's relationship with master photographers. One room of the exhibit beautifully displays the work of photographers like Irving Penn, David Lachappelle, Annie Leibovitz, Lillian Bassman, and Henry Clark (to name a few), all oriented around the iconic dress from Richard Avedon's Dovima and the Elephants.
But back to the fashion. After all, what would Dior be without it, and vice versa? The exhibit’s beautiful displays make the couture look like it’s descending from design heaven, and who’s to say it’s not. After all, Dior is known for his tailoring, revolutionary New Look, and the numerous starlets he has dressed, from Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe to Jennifer Lawrence and Natalie Portman. Seeing these fabled gowns laid out in the exhibit and vacant of their Oscar nominees allows one to really zone in on the beautiful details and construction of the garments.
As a historic and fabled house, and since Christian Dior's untimely death in 1957, many notable designers have been at the helm of the operation. And the exhibit pays homage to them all. Beginning with Yves Saint Laurent who was handpicked by Dior to succeed him, the exhibit highlights the work of all the subsequent designers. Marc Bohan's finest work is displayed, along with that of Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons, and finally, to present-day's Maria Grazia Chiuri. It's fascinating to see the evolution of Dior, and how the DNA of the house was reinterpreted through the designers eyes to fit the needs of each era, and adapt to the future.
The Colorama was an unexpected twist to the exhibit, showcasing the power of Dior's accessories, perfumes, and some ultra cute miniature dresses in a rainbow pinwheel fashion.
All in all, the Christian Dior Designer of Dreams exhibit is a must see for fashion lovers and fantasy chasers alike. Getting swept up in Dior's designs and inspirations is the perfect things to do on a crisp autumn day in New York.
