Celebrating the debut of “The New Look”—an Apple TV+ series created and named as an ode to Christian Dior’s first collection—La Galerie Dior unveils an exclusive exhibition that displays the series’ costumes, which nod to the Dior archives
Showcasing from 14 February to 13 May, this exhibition is the result of a collaboration with the series’ costume designer, Karen Serreau.
In the heart of La Galerie Dior, a moment of enchantment and anticipation is rekindled, as each silhouette reveals the enduring modernity inherent in the Dior allure. Leveraging the rich archives of Dior Héritage, including sketches, fabric samples, vintage photographs, and other invaluable artefacts, Serreau and her team recreate Monsieur Dior’s designs with unparalleled precision.
These replicas fill the exhibition space, where visitors can explore a significant moment from the first episode’s title sequence: the legendary 1955 Sorbonne Conference, organised in 1955. Here is where fashion history was made; Christian Dior became the first couturier to discuss his work at the prestigious Parisian university, engaging in a detailed conversation with professor Jacqueline Capelle de Menou. This discussion in the Grand Amphithéâtre was followed by a showcase of ten Dior creations, where an audience of 1,200, comprising students, journalists, photographers, and celebrities like André Maurois, had the rare opportunity to preview Dior’s haute couture presentations (typically more private and held in the House’s Salons).
Set against the backdrop of the majestic allegorical fresco ‘Le Bois Sacré‘ by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, a parade of silhouettes danced to music, highlighting the evolution of Christian Dior’s visionary designs. Leading the parade was the Bar ensemble, the quintessential emblem of “The New Look“, followed by the A suit from the Spring/Summer 1955 collection, offering a glimpse into the breadth of Monsieur Dior’s creative genius.
Like a spellbinding mise en abyme, the story of the Maison unfolds in an evocative narrative, echoing both within the series and this remarkable sanctuary of memory. This journey offers a mesmerising exploration through time, chronicling the illustrious evolution of Dior’s style. It includes highlights such as the historic lecture, captured partially on film and entirely in audio, celebrating the multifaceted art of couture and its inherent challenges.
