Dior’s fascination with Japan takes center stage in a captivating exhibition set to open in Tokyo this week. Called “Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams,” the exhibition celebrates the French designer’s love for Japan and how it influenced his iconic creations. Following successful runs in Paris, London, and New York, the exhibit is poised to captivate audiences in Tokyo.
Highlighting 350 haute couture dresses, the exhibition pays homage to Japanese culture through the display of Japan-inspired gowns. Architect Shohei Shigematsu played a pivotal role in creating the exhibition’s distinct structures. One standout feature is a room enveloped in an undulating three-dimensional facade made from translucent traditional washi paper pasted over wooden frames. Shigematsu took inspiration from shoji screens, commonly found in traditional Japanese architecture and covered with paper. Each section of the exhibition is thoughtfully designed to showcase different aspects of Japanese culture, offering visitors a comprehensive and immersive experience.
Curator Florence Muller emphasizes Dior’s profound admiration for traditional Japanese culture, evident in his memoirs. Muller states, “Dior held immense respect for traditional Japanese culture, which he wrote about in his memoirs. I believe there is a mutual fascination between France and Japan.” This fascination led to fruitful collaborations between Dior and Japanese companies starting in the 1950s, enabling the brand to adapt and reproduce its designs to cater to local preferences. The popularity of Dior in Japan is further highlighted by the choice of Japan’s former empress Michiko, who wore a Dior gown made from Japanese textiles for her wedding to then-prince Akihito in 1959.
The exhibition encompasses a wide range of pieces, spanning archival items to works by more recent creative directors. An exceptional piece is a John Galliano coat featuring the iconic print of “The Great Wave Off Kanagawa” on its full skirt. The exhibit also showcases robes adorned with Japanese obi-style belts crafted by Raf Simons. Additionally, Dior’s “Rashomon” jacket dress, inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s renowned Japanese novel and film, is prominently displayed.
Scheduled to run until May 28, the Tokyo exhibition serves as a platform to highlight the mutual respect shared between Japan and France in the realms of crafts, fashion, design, and art. Dior’s enduring passion for Japan comes to life in this enthralling exhibition, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the intersections of cultures and appreciate the timeless beauty of the designer’s creations.
Links:
1. https://www.dior.com/en_int
2. https://www.kyotomuseum.org/
