“The detail is as important as the essential is. When it is inadequate, it destroys the whole outfit.” — Christian Dior
A couple of years ago, I went to an exhibition called The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture, at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.
I doubt anyone could ever call me a fashionista, but I do love beautiful things — and that exhibition was a feast of beautiful things.
“A dress is a piece of ephemeral architecture, designed to enhance the proportions of the female body.” — Christian Dior
Understandably, the gallery lighting wasn’t great for photography, but I hope these few images can convey some of the design genius and attention to detail that has made the House of Dior famous.
Posted to Lens-Artists Photo Challenge | detail
Zimmerbitch 
Ah – nice details of famous design. I love beutiful things to – and fashion – even if I am not a fashionista either. Lovely walk!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous. I live above (and rent to) the Fashion History Museum. I get to see beautiful designer duds (including Dior) every day if I want. They are amazing up close. And I am NOT a fashionista either. I get most of my clothes from the grocery store (Joe Fresh) or Costco…LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m envious! I would have loved to see the clothes close up; it’s the detailing I love.
My clothes shopping tends to involve finding something I like, buying as many items of it as I can afford and wearing them out. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hah! Same here. I find what I like and buy it in every colour (that I like). I love uniform dressing. Frees up space on ye olde hard drive to think about other stuff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀 that’s exactly it!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
gorgeous! and his quote is true about most everything in life –
LikeLiked by 1 person
True.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous details, Su. I buy most of my clothes at the thrift store, but have quite a nice wardrobe, although the dressy things generally are only worn for church. My everyday things have to be practical and I sometimes get more than one of an item if I love it.
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
It makes so much sense to buy more than one of something that fits and looks good. I’ve so often regretted not doing that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful choice this week Su. You’re right, a master of fashion detail. That Japanese-ish outfit is simply amazing!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it. I’m really drawn to colourful things, and it stood out in a collection that was mainly more muted colours (and red).
LikeLike
They are lovely Su, thanks for sharing.
Leslie
LikeLike
The devil is in the details…. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Soooo true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I admire the details of fashion. These are beautiful! Thank you for sharing, Su. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you like them Amy. It’s the detailing I’m most interested in too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are all stunning!
I went to a similar Dior presentation here in Toronto a few years ago and was underwhelmed. With a few notable exceptions, I found it bland and uninspiring. Apparently the curator can make or break an exhibit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so true about curators — and I guess also what they have to work with. The exhibition I saw was created in conjunction with Dior, and had 140 dresses, etc. It filled several of the galleries.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So amazing what they do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful details, Su. My eyes are drawn to the last outfit in particular in that magnificent vibrant green. The embroidery is marvelous. I’d love to have a few extravagant items of clothing, but I’m probably never wear them!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that gown too. I used to buy quite elaborate and colourful clothes when I was younger — mostly from vintage stores. Now I go for comfort over fashion, though I still own and wear a rather fabulous crimson velvet coat that is older than me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That coat sounds wonderful. I have an orange wool coat with black buttons that I still wear a lot. It always gets compliments. :).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your coat sounds fab. Orange and black is such a good combo.
LikeLike
Marvelous!!
LikeLike
The bottom 2 on the left, especially – the red and the green. I don’t think I would have the courage to wear them to anything but a red carpet event (Ha! Like that would ever happen.) but they sure are wonderful. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Red carpet events are a bit absent from my social calendar too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would feel very self conscious, but just think how much fun it would be to dress up like that – especially if you went with a friend. A really high end halloween party, perhaps? Although then I’d be terrified about ruining the museum dress. And then, there would also be the entrance fee………… Ah well, problem solved. No dates on my calendar. 😉
LikeLike
Fabulous! You’d never get my daughter out of there, and I’d be hanging on her coat tails 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehe. I confess I spent rather longer than usual wandering around that particular exhibition.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now you got me dreaming Su! 😍 These dresses are so lovely. Great quotes, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aren’t they great!! I left the exhibition buzzing with ideas (most of which are still just in my notebooks) 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m looking forward to seeing what artworks come out of your notebooks. These dresses look heavenly to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not a lot so far — good thing collecting inspiration is a long game.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I adore the details and totally get what he said about them being so important. These dresses are as much pieces of art as they are haute couture. Even though I probably will never have an opportunity to wear such dresses I really would love to at least once in my life. 😊 (And they would have a pretty tough job getting me undressed again!! 😂) I think it’s amazing you were allowed taking pictures at all. It wouldn’t be possible around here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean about having a chance to wear a beautiful couture dress — it must be an amazing feeling.
Most exhibitions I’ve been to seem fine with photography as long as a flash isn’t used. The exception I can think of was Yayoi Kusama: Infinity, which I was really sad about because lots of the pieces were so reflective, visitor images would have been amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person