"Reimagined" Dior Expo To Show At V&A London In 2019

London's Victoria and Albert Museum recently announced plans to present a 2019 reprise of a Christian Dior retrospective that last year drew record numbers to the Decorative Arts Museum in Paris, with a few fresh twists

Above Sketch by Christian Dior for model Londres, Autumn-Winter 1950 Haute Couture collection. (Photo: Courtesy of Christian Dior)

The show, to run from February 2 to July 14, promises to be "the largest and most comprehensive exhibition ever staged in the UK on the House of Dior," the V&A said in a statement.

"Spanning 1947 to the present day, 'Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams' will trace the history and impact of one of the 20th century's most influential couturiers," the statement said.

It said the expo would be "reimagined" for the V&A, the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design, displaying 500 objects, from accessories and illustrations to perfumes and a plethora of clothing, including 200 haute couture creations.

A highlight of the show will be the Dior dress worn by Princess Margaret for her 21st birthday celebrations, generously on loan from the Museum of London, the V&A said.

Écarlate afternoon dress, Autumn-Winter 1955 Haute Couture collection, Y line. Victoria and Albert Museum, London. (Photo: Courtesy of Laziz Hamani)

Above Écarlate afternoon dress, Autumn-Winter 1955 Haute Couture collection, Y line. Victoria and Albert Museum, London. (Photo: Courtesy of Laziz Hamani)

Above Diorling perfume, 1963. (Photo: Courtesy of Laziz Hamani)

The expo will also explore Dior's "spectacular fashion shows staged in the UK's most luxurious stately homes," it said.

"Reimagining this hugely popular exhibition from Paris... will shed new light on Dior's fascination with Britain," the museum added.

It quoted Dior as saying: "There is no other country in the world, besides my own, whose way of life I like so much."

Pérou short evening dress, Autumn-Winter 1954 Haute Couture collection, H line. Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Gift of Cecil Beaton. (Photo: Courtesy of Laziz Hamani)

Above Pérou short evening dress, Autumn-Winter 1954 Haute Couture collection, H line. Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Gift of Cecil Beaton. (Photo: Courtesy of Laziz Hamani)

Trianon dress, Autumn-Winter 2017 Haute Couture collection. Christian Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. (Photo: Courtesy of Laziz Hamani)

Above Trianon dress, Autumn-Winter 2017 Haute Couture collection. Christian Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. (Photo: Courtesy of Laziz Hamani)

The Paris expo had the support of the Christian Dior house on the occasion of its 70th anniversary.

It drew more than 700,000 visitors in six months, a record for Paris' Decorative Arts museum.

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"Reimagined" Dior Expo To Show At V&A London In 2019