Tag Archives: Victoria and albert museum

Reviews, Social Commentary

Christian Dior Exhibit at the V&A: Designer of Dreams

EarlyDiorNHYM

Dior Exhibit V & A Museum. NHYM 2019. All photos my own. 

A long, long time ago, years and years ago, so long ago before the birth of civilisation – well, the birth of my children – I used to have a rule with my then husband (now called father-of-my-children), to do one cultural activity a month. No, going to the movies does not count nor does watching a documentary on Versace on Netflix count. It was a great rule which in a sense forced us to enjoy some of the best things about London. We have at our fingertips some of the greatest museums, art, music, fashion and we shouldn’t forget how easily accessible they all are.

1stDiorPhotoNHYM

So, when I was invited to a private view of the sold out Christian Dior exhibit at V & A museum the other day, I was so excited to go to the show: Fashion + Art + inspiration = success.

AteliersDressDiorNHYM

Sample dress from his Ateliers. NHYM 2019. 

Christian Dior was born in 1905 and started his own fashion line in 1946 which dominated the fashion world after World War II. He was instrumental in regaining Parisian fashion’s popularity for a decade with his ‘New Look’ of cinched waists and voluminous skirts, a break from wartime austerity.

Queen'sPhotoDiorNHYM

So influential was he that he designed Princess Margaret’s 21st birthday party dress, which is on display at the V & A.

Queen'sdressDiorNHYM

Princess Margaret’s 21st birthday dress. NHYM 2019. 

FloralDressDiorNHYM

Dior particularly loved designing fantastical and fairytale ball gowns, drawing on his love of historical costumes: ‘evening clothes are the most glamorous and fascinating thing a woman can have as the evening is the time when you escape from the realities of life.’

FloralRoomDiorNHYM

There is an entire floral room showcasing some of his most ethereal, feminine gowns that make you dream.

BallgownsDiorNHYM

The exhibit features over 500 objects, gowns, photos and memorabilia from Dior’s collections.

ChristianDiorBallGownNHYM

‘A ballgown is your dream, and it must make you dream.’

DiorsketchNHYM

This is how I feel most days.

GianFrancoFerreDiorNHYM

Gian Franco Ferre. NHYM 2019. 

After his death in 1957, Yves Saint Laurent took over as Head designer and there have been a string of great designers which have continued Dior’s legacy.

MariaGraziaChiuriDiorNHYM

Maria Grazia Chiuri. NHYM 2019.

VarietyofDiorNHYM

I love Christian Dior’s elegant, elaborate, whimsical gowns and the femininity that they represent, in contrast to some of the more masculine designs that have dominated. When I see these dresses, I am taken to a time when femininity was a sign of strength and beauty and when femininity was celebrated for its grace and wisdom.

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

 

Standard
Reviews

Private Tour of the Victoria & Albert Museum

EntranceV&ANHYM

V&A Entrance. All photos courtesy of NHYM 2017. 

BETTER IT IS TO GET WISDOM THAN GOLD.

This week, an amazing writer friend of mine who happens to work at the V&A (he is an actual couture expert and teaches in the History of Design MA – incredible!) gave my writing class a private tour of the Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington. I didn’t know much about the V&A apart from the fab couture exhibits like the Alexander McQueen exhibit, and last year’s Indian jewellery exhibit, which was equally as fabulous, so I was more than excited to join in.

MainCourtyardV&ANHYM

Inner Courtyard. NHYM 2017. 

As we stood in the inner courtyard where quotes like ‘Better it is to get wisdom than gold’ are inscribed in the museum’s facade, he started with a little history: the museum was founded in 1852 by Queen Victoria & Prince Albert as a place where the best art and design from around the world would be displayed to teach the English about design. It has since then become the largest decorative arts and design museum in the world.

PersianRugV&ANHYM

Persian Rug. NHYM 2017. 

Art and Design is such a broad subject and has such range that it is an enormous museum with 5.5 million objects of art and design, from around the world and through the generations. There are international collections including Asian Art and this Persian rug which has a specially built case that is deprived of light to preserve it – except when it is turned on for 10 minutes every 30 minutes for museum goers to see it.

HallwayV&ANHYM

Hallway and Staircase. V&A. NHYM 2017. 

There is a blending of the old and the new at this museum, as you can see from all the Italianate designs and paintings – which at the time were the epitome of art and design -and the modern water feature in the main courtyard.

V&ACafeNHYM

The Cafe. NHYM 2017.

Here, you can see the modern design of this light – which I love – against the stained glass and ornate decorations in the background. The V&A was the first museum to have a cafe inside and it is still a hub of activity, especially on Friday nights where events like jazz concerts are held.

JewelryV&ANHYM

Jewellery Collection. NHYM 2017. 

Of course, I wanted to go straight to the jewellery collection which showcases beautifully crafted jewels of amethysts, topaz and diamonds that illustrate the handicraft and tastes of the time.

DiamondBroochV&ANHYM

Diamond brooch. NHYM 2017. 

This above diamond brooch is one of my favourite pieces, which looks like it inspired the Chanel camellia range:

Chanel-Camélia-ring-in-white-gold-set-with-a-5ct-squared-cushion-cut-diamond-and-351-brilliant-cut-diamonds-with-a-total-weight-of-3.5ct.

Chanel Camelia Ring. Courtesy of the internet. NHYM 2017.

Unsurprisingly, the Chanel ring has been on my ‘Lust List’ for a while. The Boodles Raindance ring, also one of my favourites, is also part of the jewellery collection.

Unfortunately the fashion exhibit was shut as they are preparing for their next exhibit, Balenciaga, which is opening in May.

TheatrepostersV&ANHYM

Theatre Posters. NHYM 2017. 

There is an entire theatre and performance collection, which has posters and costumes that even your children would be interested in seeing.

LionKingCostumesV&ANHYM

Lion King costumes. NHYM 2017. 

Speaking of children, this is a museum I would happily bring my children to, especially the paddling pool in the main courtyard that allows children. And then there is an entire Beatrix Potter collection, where you can see the works of one of the best-loved children’s authors.

PeterRabbitPotterV&ANHYM

Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter. NHYM 2017. 

This is apparently the original Peter Rabbit that Beatrix Potter once drew in her South Ken home.

PhotoV&ANHYM

Modern Collection. NHYM 2017

In the modernism collection, modern designs of furniture and objects, as well as photographs are shown. Apparently, to continue collecting modern design, V&A collectors are sent out to the streets of London to pick and choose random pieces of modern design to keep in the collection.

StereoV&ANHYM

Boom box. NHYM 2017.

But what made me feel really old is when I saw this old boom box from the 80s encased in a special glass framed case, like a shrine. It doesn’t seem that long ago, but show it to a teenager and they will think it was a relic of olden days….

For anyone who loves jewellery and fashion, theatre and music, the new and the old, design and art, this museum is a hub of beauty and creativity, modernity and history that not a lot of museums bring together like it does. Two upcoming exhibits I do not want to miss are the Pink Floyd and the Balenciaga exhibit. Can’t wait!

Thank you so much for the tour of the V&A, it was amazing! 

https://www.vam.ac.uk

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

@NHyummymummy

 

Standard