Australia and The House of Dior 70 years on

The National Gallery of Victoria’s ‘The House of Dior – Seventy Years of Haute Couture’ is in its final week. It is a phenomenal exhibition featuring over 140 exquisite garments and accessories designed by The House of Dior’s seven creative directors.

If you missed this feast of haute couture or would like to ‘re-visit’ the exhibition one more time, I’ve compiled a small collection of my photos below.

A Little History

Based at 30 Avenue Montaigne Paris, Christian Dior released his first couture collection in 1947. Dubbed the ‘New Look’ collection, it would change women’s fashion forever. Gone were the utilitarian styles of wartime. In its place: tiny waists, soft shoulder lines and fairytale-like long, full skirts.

The Australian connection began in the following year. David Jones paraded fifty of Dior’s original designs at their Sydney city store as part of their ‘French Fashion for All’ promotion. This was the first time outfits from Dior’s inaugural haute couture collection were viewed outside Paris. Australian women loved it! They eagerly embraced his designs and their adaptations.

And, judging by the lengthy queues and hordes of people viewing the exhibition the day I visited, Australian’s adoration for French high fashion and Christian Dior Couture lives on.

Christian Dior (Creative Director 1946-57)

: Where it all started: Christian Dior’s Bar suit, afternoon ensemble 1947

: Many of Dior’s garments were inspired by flowers – Village Party Dress 1955

: Mexico evening gown A/W 1951. Layers & layers of silk tulle, opulent gold thread & a statement velvet bow

Yves Saint Laurent (Creative Director 1957-60)

: Mascarade short evening dress (Left) and Climene dress A/W 1959

: Afternoon and short evening dresses 1960

Marc Bohan (Creative Director 1960-89)

: Slim Look collection S/S 1961

: Silk and linen Evening dress S/S 1983

Gianfranco Ferre (Creative Director 1989-96)

: Disney evening suit and Luna coat dress A/W collection 1989-90

: Divine raspberry silk tulle long evening dress ‘Elixir’, 1996

John Galliano (Creative Director 1996-2011)

: Japanese origami inspired Mimi-san suit and Konnici Kate suit, S/S 2007

: Look 43 coat: Exquisite embroidered satin with feather and beading details

: ‘Theodora’ evening ensemble 1997: Fluid satin with a theatrical bodice and sleeves

Couture from Top to Toe

: Maria Grazia Chiuri footwear S/S collection 2017

: House of Dior Footwear

Raf Simons (Creative Director 2012-15)

: Look 54 dress, 2015 A modern interpretation of the pleats and full skirts in Dior’s S/S collection 1954

: The eternally elegant Look 10 Bar coat. Red cashmere and silk with a metal belt.

: Look 24 ensemble S/S 2015. Man-made fibres meet nature in this polyvinyl and silk combination

Maria Grazia Chiuri (Creative Director 2016- )

: Broussaille evening dress S/S 2017. Tulle, rafia and silk embroidery.

: Black crescent ballgown S/S 2017. Opulent velvet and the luna shape makes for a dramatic focal point.

: Dresses from this year’s Spring/Summer collection (2017)

Ann Vodicka is a personal stylist and image consultant based in Sydney, Australia. She has a passion for fashion and for helping men and women develop greater confidence and a stronger sense of self by dressing to express who they truely are. Her desire is for everyone she works with to look and be the best version of themselves they can be.

Ann is contactable through her website https://www.imageconfidence.com.au

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