Russian Epic - Inspiration DIOR

Almost a week ago in Moscow, 330 guests from all over the world gathered in Russia's Pushkin Museum for the opening of the "Inspiration Dior" exhibit.  The exhibit brings to Russia 120 couture looks from the house of Dior's long history, alongside paintings and photographs that have inspired its designers over the past decades. 

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton chief Bernard Arnault addressed the crowd: “What we wanted to show above all with this exhibit is that Christian Dior is an artist,” he said. “He wasn’t only a fashion designer, but also one of the greatest artists of the 20th century.”

Arnault swept through the exhibit flanked by security, leaving other guests to examine the rare artwork — including portraits of Marie-Antoinette, the Duke of Orleans and the wife of Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

In the exhibit's central hall, eight glass tubes holds a unique Dior creation.  Amongst the favorites are; a short white tulle evening dress, embroidered with silver sequins. Designed by Yves Saint Laurent for the autumn/winter 1959-60 collection and titled Armide; John Galliano’s Mitzah evening gown from the spring 1997 line, its pink ruffled skirts spilling onto the museum floor, accented by a swathe of lilac roses.

If you are near Russia before July 24th, visit the Pushkin Museum, go see the exhibit and all the rarely seen works it has to offer.  For once, I wish I was in Moscow, too bad my travels won't take me there til next year.  The 3 years in the making exhibit with such extraordinary rare works of art, is something I long to see. (CLICK TO ENLARGE PHOTOS)

Armilde, designed by Yves Saint Laurent for the Autumn/Winter 1959-1960 Collection for the House of Dior, a short white tulle evening dress, embroidered with silver sequins.

Natalia Vodianova swished up the stairs at Moscow’s Pushkin Museum Tuesday night, dressed in a dark red lace Dior gown circa 2010. 

The gowns and paintings swirl around a central angel-like figure. She wears a white tulle dress by Galliano and golden crown, lace wings adorning her back — a textile take on Pierre et Gilles’ Madonna, which hangs high on the exhibit’s wall.

Another highlight is John Galliano’s Mitzah evening gown from the spring 1997 line, its pink ruffled skirts spilling onto the museum floor, accented by a swathe of lilac roses.

I hope you guys enjoyed these beautiful works of art - the dresses of the 20th Century will be in museums before we know it.