On my family camping holiday in Normandy, France, I randomly went into a little room on the campsite filled with leaflets of touristy places to visit and I spotted one with DIOR splashed across the front, so naturally I was drawn to it. At first I thought it was just a perfume advert but then realised it was for an exhibition in the house that Christian Dior grew up in, in Granville, so I was crazy excited.
The exhibition was 'an invitation to discover a unique set of images and sensations that explore the mutual sensibilities between Haute Couture and the Impressionist movement'. Throughout the whole exhibition, including the garden, there were constant links being made between Dior's work, nature and the Impressionist art movement.
The house was unbelievably cute; a pink doll's house, and the setting absolutely beautiful. 
The book 'Dior Impressions' I bought in the exhibition shared Dior's love of gardens and his fascination of nature. It was evident that Dior had a lot of input in the design and landscaping of the Villa Les Rhumbs gardens. Both his clothing designs and his garden adopt clean cuts, flowers and curved silhouettes.
"The following spring, the Tulipe line appeared, marked by the development of the bust and the narrowing of the hips. Little by little, the waist was being freed. Colours were inspired by the pictures of the Impressionists and evoked the fields of flowers dear to Renoir and Van Gogh." Christian Dior
 |
Throughout the garden there were information boards displaying a perfume, and comparing it with the scent of a particular flower and an Impressionist painting. However it was all in French and I had no clue what it said, so that was fun.
Unfortunately I couldn't take pictures in the exhibition, but all I'm going to say is, without trying to sound cheesy, some of the dresses took my breath away. After going round the absolutely amazing exhibition, I had to get me some Christian Dior merchandise lol.
I bought this Dior Impressions book that includes all the beautiful dresses from the exhibition and compares each of the dresses to an Impressionist painting. Eg the following..
Dress: Muguet dress in white cotton organdie embroidered with lily-of-the-valley bellflowers, S/S 1957 Haute Couture collection, Libre line.
Painting: Camille Pissarro, Pontoise. Vegetable Garden and Trees in Blossom.
Painting: Edgar Degas, Study of the Sky
Dress: White organza evening dress embroidered with bands of degrade chiffon in pale pink , sand, and sky blue, A/W 2012 Haute Couture collection. By Raf Simons
Painting: Edgar Degas, Three Dancers in Salmon-Pink Skirts, pastel
Dress: Melody Woodin Inspired by Degas dress, A/W 2007 Haute Couture collection. By John Galliano
I bought a few postcards of some of my favourite dresses, mainly to use for my Art A Level.
If you happened to find yourself in Normandy, I really recommend you to go and visit, even if you're not into fashion (my Dad even loved it), it was the best experience and the highlight of my holiday.
xoxo
xoxo
