Since Marla and I spent the bulk of our careers in decorative textile industry we were obviously excited to see the “Dior…From Paris To The World” exhibition at the Denver Art Museum. The show began with Christian Dior and transitioned to his successors, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferre, John Galliano, Raf Simons, and Maria Grazia Chiuri, each incorporating their own design aesthetic. Click on this video link for a quick tour:

https://denverartmuseum.org/article/helpful-tips-your-visit-dior-paris-world

My very favorite was this amazing Asian inpired John Galliano designed gown worn by Nicole Kidman at the 1997 Oscar’s!

The display at the beginning of the exhibition featured all of the designers at the House of Dior.

This was Yves Saint Laurent’s collection chart Haute Couture Fall-Winter 1959.

A selection of “Toiles” used in the Dior atelier by the “petite mains”, or “little hands”, in early fabrication.

Wonderful embroidery samples.

Christian Dior was always interested in the “Total Look” and by 1948 began licensing deals for furs, stockings and perfume.

Art and fashion.

Gianfranco Ferre (Dior director from 1989-96.) brought Italian influenced high design to Dior. I still have my “Ferre” blazer.

1992 fashion sketch by Gianfranco Ferre.

Silver mirror-embroidered dress by Ferre.

Fabulous 2014 embroidered broadtail coat by Raf Simons.

Incredible detail and artistry.

For lovers of fabulous textiles this exotic 2004 creation by John Galliano featured a hand-painted silk satin. Christian Dior’s first financial backer was textile magnate Marcel Boussac in 1946.

Colorful creations.

Galliano’s eccentric exoticism.

Well….why not!

It’s all in the details!

Raf Simons (Director from 2012 to 2015.) creations.

I was particularly interested in Raf Simon’s use of “chine”, a complex 18th century process of dyeing individual threads. He used the technique to create a look inspired by American artist Sterling Ruby.

John Galliano’s inspiration book for his 2005 Haute Couture Fall-Winter collection.

Esoteric 2000 Galliano embroidered wool crepe and satin crepe coat and pants.

Maria Grazia Chiuri took over the house in 2015. This 2018 Trompe-l’oeil creation was stunning! It was created by embroidering metallic sequins.

Chiuri designed painted and embroidered taffeta dress.

The shows final exhibit was a visual overload of styles from many of Dior’s designers. It was too much to take in properly.

For pure workmanship this raffia-embroidered dress was beautiful!

I zeroed in on this John Galliano 1998 embroidered silk faconne dress.

You still have time to see the exhibit as it runs till March 17th!

Photos: Dick Gentry