The end of a war. The start of a fashion revolution. A once in a lifetime opportunity to view Christian Dior’s haute couture collection from 1947-1957.
Well hello there, I hope you’re doing well! Today, I will be sharing with you some photos from the Dior Exhibit that I visited at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). I originally found out about this exhibition through several bloggers who attended the exhibit in Melbourne and Paris. I remember thinking to myself, “I wish the exhibit would come to Canada” and “It’s never going to come to Canada or Toronto. It will probably take place in New York or somewhere in the United States because Canada is always forgotten.” Little did I know, the exhibit was coming to not only Canada but to my city, Toronto! I had absolutely no clue the exhibit was taking place at the ROM in Toronto until my professor mentioned it, and when she did, my jaw literally dropped! The day I found out this news, I hopped onto the internet to find out more information about the exhibit. I couldn’t have been more thrilled! The exhibit opened on November 25th, 2017 and will be ending on March 18th, 2018, so if you live in Toronto or are visiting the city soon, definitely check out the exhibit! Additionally, if you are a post-secondary student in Ontario, you can receive a discount on Tuesdays. The ROM is free for post-secondary students on Tuesdays, but the Dior exhibit is not included. However, if you do attend the exhibit on Tuesday, you only have to pay $6 as a student rather than $21 which is the student ticket price during the rest of the week. I wanted to inform you of this because I had no clue until I actually visited the ROM on a Tuesday. When I found out about this, I was very excited because let’s be honest, being a college student is very costly and whenever there is a good deal, you’ve got to take it (#ballingonabudget)! Anyway, to learn more about the exhibit, click HERE and HERE.
Keep scrolling to see images of Dior’s designs from 1947-1957.
The world is wonderfully full of beautiful women whose shapes and tastes offer an inexhaustible diversity. My collection must cater to each of them. – Christian Dior, 1954
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“The principal expense for fashion in the 19th century was the cost of textile. When the two-piece dress with voluminous skirt came into style, women frequently ordered an extra bodice. It was an economical solution to the demands of etiquette that required her to conceal her arms for day and expose them, and her decolletage, for evening.”
   “For day-time in town, a dark suit in a smooth material is best… the ‘little black suit’ cannot be beaten for elegance and usefulness.” – Christian Dior, 1954 |
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| “Christian Dior’s daytime suits and dresses were designed for women on the move. Prioritizing precision tailoring over draping, he made sure the Dior woman looked sleek and feminine, and was not hindered by her clothing.” |
“I have young people to encourage, and embroiderers whose work is so wonderful I cannot give it up. And the laces, brocades and prints! Behind all of them are artists, workers, industries, whole cities that in some way rely on me. Every worthwhile effort deserves a model in my collection.” – Christian Dior, 1951
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| Staron printed textile register, 1955: “A year before a textile collection was presented, the manufacturer worked with spinners, dyers, weavers, and printers to select fibre, colour, pattern, weave, and finish. Bambou was tested in several colour variations and on a variety of textured weaves.” |
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| Staron printing register, 1955: “This book records information and names of the firms commissioned to print each of Staron’s designs. Bambou required nine silk screens to achieve the rich colours. It was produced by the prestigious, five-generation textile printing firm, Brunet-Lecomte (1855-1969), in Bourgoin-Jallieu near Lyon. |
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| Giron Freres (1854-1980). Register for weaving velvet ribbons, 1949. “This book records the information for setting up the loom to make velvet ribbons. The art of ribbon-making involves many technical variations and possibilities that can change the colour, feel, weight, and luminous, reflective qualities. Giron Freres specialized in velvet ribbons and expanded into velvet textiles in the 1880’s. After WWII, the company experimented with new technical innovations, including washable and ironable velvets.” |
“Perfume, like your clothes, can so much express your personality; and you can change your perfume with your mood.” – Christian Dior, 1954
“A little bow of ribbon has always been one of my favourite and most feminine trimmings.” – Christian Dior, 1954
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog! I hope you enjoyed reading about the Dior exhibit and have learned more about the French fashion designer and his designs. If you love fashion and fashion history and live in Toronto or in any of the other cities the Dior exhibit will be taking place in, I highly recommend you attend the exhibit. You will not regret it!
