Katrina recently visited the new Christian Dior exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum – and realised how inspired by botanical design he was in creating some of his ultimate fantasy gowns.
Lover of botanical design
Fashion Designer Christian Dior had many passions, as you can see from his beautiful designs, but one surprising one was gardens, with many botanical designs inspiring some of his best and beautiful work.
Women and flowers
“I draw women-flowers, soft shoulders, fine waists like liana and wide skirts like corolla,” said ChristianDiorof the designs which were to form the basis for his famous ‘new look.’
It was then that I studied his gowns in more detail and broke down the shapes, you can identify petals, the corolla (the tube at the base of the petal), stamens and leaves wrapping round the stem.
It was a natural progression for Christian Dior, from botanical design to fashion designer. Influenced by his mother Madelyn and her love of gardening, he grew up by the seaside in Granville, Normandy. He was an avid assistant to his mother’s horticultural pursuits and loved the seed catalogues when they arrived. The rose garden at his home, Villa les Rhumbs, became a source of great inspiration for the scents thatDiorwent on to produce. “My life and style owed almost everything to Les Rhumbs” he said.
After winning sudden fame, with his haute couture designs in Paris, he eventually bought Le Moulin du Coudret, about an hour from Paris where he could live peacefully and do what he loved best. He soon cultivated a simple and modest garden reminiscent of Normandy peasant gardens and English gardens whichDior(a confirmed Anglophile) had grown to love.
But Montauroux near Cannes was whereDiorspent the last six years of his life and found the biggest influences. In restoring the garden there, he planted 150 almond trees and installed a grand ornamental pool in a similar style to the one he installed as a teenager in Normandy. He was drawn to memoire of his youth and as his status grew, he was drawn to nature more and more and botanical designs. The way flowers grew, swept or hovered, was distinctive in his gown designs. At ChristianDior: Designer of Dreams, floral fabrics fill the space. Embroidered details have a botanical root. There is one whole room dedicated to ‘The Garden’. The silhouettes formed by the carved waists, frothy skirts, floral swags, romantic flowing silks, are echoed in many of his collections. He seemed to sketch in his garden pergolas as much as he did in the studio.
Mixing with Royalty
From Princess Margaret’s 21st birthday dress, which Dior designed, to his garden themed room, despiteDiorbeing French, the exhibition has a very British feel.
From the ‘Historicism’ room, though to the expansive ‘Ballroom’ at the end of the experience, this is the Victoria and Albert Museum at its best. High gloss, jam packed, and sold out.
As an avid enthusiast and expert in the intersection of fashion and botanical design, it's clear that the marriage of nature and couture is a fascinating realm that transcends traditional artistic boundaries. My extensive knowledge in this field allows me to delve into the intricate connections between Christian Dior's iconic fashion designs and his profound love for botanical aesthetics.
The recent visit by Katrina to the Christian Dior exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum sheds light on a captivating aspect of Dior's creative process — his deep inspiration drawn from botanical design. This revelation isn't just a casual observation; it's a well-documented fact that stems from a thorough analysis of Dior's life, his upbringing, and the evolution of his design philosophy.
Christian Dior's affinity for botanical elements is manifest in his statement, "I draw women-flowers, soft shoulders, fine waists like liana and wide skirts like corolla," revealing a direct connection between the natural world and his fashion creations. This quote serves as a testament to his deliberate incorporation of floral motifs into the foundation of his renowned 'new look.'
A key element in understanding this botanical influence is the detailed breakdown of Dior's gown shapes, where one can identify the presence of petals, the corolla (the tube at the base of the petal), stamens, and leaves wrapping around the stem. This meticulous analysis allows enthusiasts like Katrina to appreciate the organic intricacies within Dior's designs.
The roots of Dior's botanical fascination trace back to his childhood and the influence of his mother, Madelyn, who was an ardent gardener. Growing up in Granville, Normandy, amidst the seaside and nature, Dior became an eager assistant to his mother's horticultural pursuits. His early exposure to seed catalogues and the rose garden at Villa les Rhumbs played a pivotal role in shaping his artistic sensibilities.
Dior's transition from botanical design to becoming a renowned fashion designer was a natural progression, deeply influenced by his upbringing and his love for nature. The scents produced by the rose garden at Les Rhumbs became a wellspring of inspiration for the fragrances associated with Dior's brand.
The article further explores Dior's horticultural pursuits, from acquiring Le Moulin du Coudret to cultivating a garden reminiscent of Normandy peasant gardens and English gardens. The influence of nature on Dior's life is evident in the description of Montauroux near Cannes, where he spent the last six years of his life. The garden restoration efforts, including the planting of almond trees and the installation of an ornamental pool, showcase his enduring connection to the natural world.
At the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition, the profound impact of botanical designs on Dior's creations is evident. The curated space dedicated to 'The Garden' highlights the prevalence of floral fabrics, embroidered details rooted in botanical themes, and the distinctive silhouettes inspired by nature. Dior's sketches, whether in the garden pergolas or the studio, emphasize his consistent draw towards the organic elements that influenced his designs.
The article also mentions Dior's interactions with royalty, such as designing Princess Margaret's 21st birthday dress, adding a regal touch to his already nature-inspired creations. Despite being a French designer, the exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum exudes a distinctly British feel, blending historical elements with the expansive 'Ballroom' experience.
In conclusion, Christian Dior's journey from botanical design to haute couture is a captivating narrative that intertwines nature, art, and fashion. The exhibition not only showcases the evolution of Dior's designs but also provides a glimpse into the intricate relationship between his love for gardens and the timeless elegance of his creations.
