This winter's selection of the latest fashion exhibitions includes Azzedine Alaïa's collection, the singular relationship between the House of Dior and female artists as well as photographer Viviane Sassen's vivid look at the clothes and bodies staged in fashion:
The Galerie Dior, inaugurated in 2022, is the brand's Parisian museum dedicated to its history and heritage. Every six months, a new exhibition trail presents a different aspect of the house. Since the end of November, visitors have been invited to discover the links between Dior and women, particularly female artists.
Christian Dior, who began his career as a gallery owner, was particularly attentive to the Surrealist movement and the work of female artists. He was the first to exhibit the work of Argentinean artist Leonor Fini, whose paintings can be seen in the first room. Throughout the exhibition, the company's creations are contrasted with photographs, sculptures and paintings by contemporary artists. These include panels with feminist slogans by American artist Judy Chicago, which served as the backdrop for the Spring-Summer 2020 haute couture show, and large photographic panels by Japanese artist Yuriko Takagi, depicting dancers in motion wearing dresses by John Galliano, Raf Simons and Yves Saint Laurent, all of whom served as the house's artistic director.
Other highlights include the astonishing large-format photographs by the Englishwoman Katerina Jebb, who scans the company's creations, and the room dedicated to the French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle, who was very close to Marc Bohan, Dior's artistic director from 1957 to 1989. The Galerie, located in the heart of the house's very first ateliers, has welcomed almost 1,500 visitors every day since its inauguration. Online booking is advised.
Until May 13, 2024 at La Galerie Dior, 11, Rue François-1er, 8th arrondissement.
We know Azzedine Alaïa as an immensely talented fashion designer, a master of cut and of highlighting women's bodies. With this exhibition, to be seen at the Palais Galliera, we discover an Alaïa passionate about fashion and a compulsive collector. The French-Tunisian designer, who passed away in 2017, spent a good part of his life acquiring creations by illustrious names in fashion. It is without doubt the most important personal fashion collection ever assembled. Part of it is on display here, in collaboration with the Fondation Alaïa.
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