Miss Dior Exhibition Review

The Grand Palais, the large monument along the Champs Elysees, built to display various collections of French art, was the perfect place to display and match the grandeur of Christian Dior’s Miss Dior exhibit. As illustrated throughout the exhibit, Christian Dior’s goal in his work was to “make women more beautiful and happier” (Christian Dior), the exhibit is filled with feminine artifacts and designs that would make any woman feel beautiful upon entering. The exhibition is filled with beauty and artistic expression that was inspired by none other than the alluring and magical perfume, Miss Dior. 

Before entering the exhibition, one is greeted with a larger than life portrait of Christian Dior in a tailored white suit with a black and white handkerchief in the left pocket. Upon viewing this monstrous portrait in an all-white room, visitors are encouraged and inspired to read and become more informed on the artist before entering the exhibition. After the brief yet informative biography of Christian Dior, jmdjkone enters the exhibition and is immediately flooded with beauty, femininity and the color: pink.

Because Christian Dior was originally interested in art, a stairwell leads the exhibition viewer to the top level of the giant room, displaying various paintings and artists which inspired Dior. Teaming up with five other artists, the exhibition notes that Christian Dior and these men opened up an art gallery. Along with this, Christian Dior also owned his own art collection. Walking up these stairs, viewers are greeted with various paintings and sculptures which inspired Dior. The art ranges from kitschy sculptures, such as a woman with a baguette on her head, to the highly influential Pablo Picasso painting. The body of work displayed at the top of the stairs helps the exhibition viewer gain information on the art Dior appreciated as well as what inspired his work. 

The flow of the museum transfers from past to present when the exhibition visitor is lead down the stairs to be magically engulfed in colorful modern art pieces inspired by the Miss Dior Eau de Toilette. Most notable, Polly Apfelbaum’s Rainbow Nirvana Houndstooth, is an installation which depicts hundreds of women from cultures across the world dancing and being themselves in their element. To view this, the visitor enters a dark room and is surrounded by a projection of these dancing and singing women. The artist mixes tradition hand-weaving techniques with modern technology to create a surreal and almost frightening depiction of women, objects, and sound floating across a night sky.

Walking across the first floor of the exhibition, one can see various other modern art pieces brought to life by Miss Dior. One of the most eye-catching is an enormous, illuminated pink bow made from carbon fiber and adorned with over 1,500 perfume bottles. Upon first glance, the viewer can only see a massive illuminated bow. After reading the bow’s description and meaning, one would be delighted to know that the Miss Dior bow and its use of everyday materials conveys the essence of “childish innocence and passionate audacity” (Joana Vasconcelos). Further down the exhibition, the viewer is entranced by a massive five meter sculpture plays on the viewer’s olfactory senses and essentially, provides a unique and psychedelic experience upon stepping inside.

One of the more personal and easily understood modern art pieces is Karen Kilimnik’s dramatic display of today’s consumer society. The Miss Dior perfume bottle sits at the center of a lavish bed of flowers, pink clouds, and chandeliers depicting the perfume’s romantic and feminine origins. Very inspired by Marie Antoinette, it’s no wonder that Miss Dior has this lavish, romantic and overdone connotation. This piece inspires the viewer to view Miss Dior and its role in today’s modern consumer-oriented society. Along with these previously mentioned, the entire first floor is engulfed in various artists’ interpretation of Miss Dior; its colors, purpose and message. Though many of these installations and massive sculptures may appear daunting and frivolous, one must read the descriptions and pamphlet to find the true meaning; this can often be surprising and enlightening. 

Amidst the massive installations and sculptures lies two video installations: one, showing Miss Diorn commercials on a loop and one displaying various historical clips of Dior’s designs and inspirations. The video displaying Miss Dior’s commercials is rather intriguing and captivating as the viewer is able to see each model that has represented Dior throughout the years; the most recent being Natalie Portman. These video installations tie the exhibition together and make it relatable to modern day life in that they depict celebrities and movie stars who viewers are familiar with.

Last but not least, the absolute highlight of the exhibition is none other than the collection of beautiful and perfectly feminine dresses created by artists who were inspired by his lovely fragrance. Although each dress encompasses the fragrance’s expression of love and femininity, the dress that stands out is Lillian Bassman’s Miss Dior gown. Enveloped in colorful flowers, this gown speaks the true meaning of the fragrance. As it perfectly tailors to a woman’s hourglass figure, its small waste, large hips and bust create what many would consider, the ideal womanly figure. Any woman who wears this dress would immediately feel like a goddess, undeniably feminine and beautiful.

 

The Grand Palais’ Miss Dior exhibition is anything but ordinary. Its chaotic layout is somewhat daunting and overwhelming upon entering yet gradually becomes easier on the eyes after exploration. The classic Parisian theme of grandeur is clearly displayed throughout the museum with a twist of pink and floral design. Throughout the exhibition’s informative videos, influential artwork and modern interpretations of Miss Dior, the viewer is able to grasp Christian Dior’s main goal: to make every woman feel beautiful and happy.

-Avery