In a partnership with Qatar Museums, Dior brings its Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams Exhibition to the Middle East for the First time.
©Nelson Garrido
Now open at the M7 Creative Hub in Msheired, Downtown Doha the global exhibition showcases a selection of archival looks from throughout the House’s history.
Furthermore, in a first for the region, the showcase also features ensembles bellowing to the private collection of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, a long-standing client of Christian Dior Couture.
©Nelson Garrido
To the rhythm of a new scenographic narrative designed by Nathalie Crinière, the exhibition, specially conceived for Qatar and curated by Olivier Gabet celebrates nearly seventy-five years of creative passion, punctuated by captivating haute couture dresses and works from the collection of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
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“The exhibition Christian Dior Designer of Dreams has captivated audiences around the globe with its stunning design and breathtaking fashion creations. Qatar Museums is pleased to present a special presentation of the exhibition in Doha, in collaboration with Dior and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Qatar Museums gives special thanks to Place Vendôme for their generous support as the presenting sponsor of the exhibition,” said Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson, Qatar Museums.
©Nelson Garrido
“Christian Dior was a true visionary,” Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa continued, “so it is especially meaningful to us that Designer of Dreams is the first major exhibition to open at Qatar Museums’ M7, a creative hub that supports Qatar’s burgeoning fashion and design industries. This inspiring space provides a platform for local talent and supports aspiring and established creative entrepreneurs in Qatar to realise their ambitions.”
The exhibition’s design evokes the iconic 30 Avenue Montaigne; the home of the House in Paris inviting guests to enter and discover creations by each of Christian Dior’s successors: Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri. Christian Dior’s iconic Bar jacket is also on display, a piece that featured in his first collection in 1947.
©Nelson Garrido
Moving through the exhibition the toile room is a tribute to the savoir-faire of Dior’s ateliers and promotes the excellence of the petites mains.
The beauty of world cultures is showcased in the Dior Around the World section reflecting cultural references for each country represented, for example, Middle Eastern-inspired stained-glass windows by Philippe-Joseph Brocard.
©Nelson Garrido
In the heart of a garden recalling Monsieur Dior’s love of flowers, looks are enhanced by delicate embellishments or poetic prints, presented alongside embroidery by Rébé and precious botanical works dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Continuing this journey, the J’adore fragrance universe is exalted by a cascade of golden raindrops composed of 3,000 perfume bottles in a creation by the artist Liu Jianhua.
The Diorama window, revisited in pastel shades, dialogues with an installation specially created for this exhibition by the artist Joël Andrianomearisoa, entitled Les Saisons Imaginaires and made from a thousand upcycled Dior silk scarves.
Reflecting Christian Dior’s fascination with art, more than fifty Lady Dior handbags have been reinterpreted for the Dior Lady Art project, granting painters, sculptors, and designers carte blanche to transform this emblem according to their artistic vision – an accessory that owes its iconic status to its extraordinary ambassador, Lady Diana.
©Nelson Garrido
Visitors can also admire one of the Princess of Wales’ outfits, alongside looks that have been worn by celebrities including Charlize Theron and Jennifer Lawrence.
In the final gallery, guests will discover an enchanting encounter between virtuoso evening gowns and a series of haute couture ensembles belonging to Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.
The exhibition is part of the ongoing cultural legacy established as part of the Qatar-France 2020 Year of Culture, an initiative celebrating the longstanding ties between both nations.
