FASHION HISTORY

For the first time in the Middle East, the House of Dior brings the exhibition Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams to Doha. The retrospective is an ode to the luxury brand’s heritage.

RHINESTONES AND DROP BEADS, HAUTE COUTURE AUTUMN-WINTER 1955, Y LINE. CHRISTIAN DIOR.

MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS - UFAC COLLECTIONS, GIFT OF MRS. WEINBERG.

MAY ORGANZA EVENING GOWN EMBROIDERED BY RÉBÉ, HAUTE COUTURE SPRING-SUMMER 1953, TULIPE LINE. CHRISTIAN DIOR. MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS - UFAC COLLECTIONS, GIFT OF MME DE BORD IN MEMORY OF HER MOTHER, MME LAZARD, 1978.

Following its success at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and several prestigious museums worldwide,from London to New York, the exhibition now lands in Doha. The M7, Qatar’s hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in design, fashion and tech, located in Msheireb Downtown Doha, presents the exhibition from November 6 to March 31, 2022, marking a first for the House of Dior in the Middle East region.

This newly reinvented retrospective, curated by Olivier Gabet, Director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, features a fresh scenography narrative. It celebrates more than 70 years of creative passion, punctuated by extraordinary discoveries, bringing creations from the iconic 30 Avenue Montaigne with inspirations from the sumptuousness of Versailles and enchanted gardens. The exhibition highlights haute couture designs from past and present, designed by Christian Dior and the artistic directors that succeed him. Names such as Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri. A must-see is the iconic Bar afternoon ensemble from the Haute Couture Spring-Summer 1947 of the Corolle collection, known as the New Look.

OXFORD SKIRT SUIT IN WOOL SERGE, AFTER THE DESIGN OXFORD, FROM SPRING-SUMMER 1953, WITH AN ANTHRACITE ORGANZA SHIRT, HAUTE COUTURE AUTUMN-WINTER 2017. CHRISTIAN DIOR BY MARIA GRAZIA CHIURI. DIOR HÉRITAGE COLLECTION, PARIS.

Keeping alive the visionary spirit of the designer who gives his name to the house, some icons can also be appreciated, including versions of the Lady Dior bag reinterpreted for the Dior Lady Art project. A selection of works and decorative objects from the collections of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is also on display.

LOOK 31, ¾ LENGTH BUSTIER EVENING DRESS IN DUCHESS SATIN WITH STERLING RUBY SP178 SHADOW PRINT, HAUTE COUTURE AUTUMN-WINTER 2012. CHRISTIAN DIOR BY RAF SIMONS. DIOR HÉRITAGE COLLECTION, PARIS.

NIUE SATIN ORGANZA COAT AND EMBROIDERED BUSTIER DRESS, HAUTE COUTURE SPRING-SUMMER 1995, EXTREME… COLLECTION. CHRISTIAN DIOR BY GIANFRANCO FERRÉ. DIOR HÉRITAGE COLLECTION, PARIS.

Cartier’s timeless creations with exceptional artistry have given life to one of its most recognisable pieces, The Love Bracelet, and incredible intrinsic jewels such as Maria Félix’s Crocodile Necklace. Cartier is a responsible jeweller, constantly striving to improve its tradition of excellence and develop its ethical, environmental and social practices and commitments.

Sixième Sens Par Cartier is an expression of art with the power to move like no other. While contemplating the collection, you are caught between surprise and wonder, and the gaze is captured, absorbed, and lost in the fascinating depths of 1,000-year-old stones. With a stylised feline interpretation, organic textures and shards of coloured light, shimmering gems electrify in hues of ripe fruits that summon up scents of distant paradises.

The unique jewels use a series of techniques to mesmerise, such as trompe-l’oeil, a clever painting method to trick people into thinking that the objects represented in it are there, as well as graphic patterns and optical illusions. The collection also brings compositions that play with earthly gravity in radiant transfigurations of reality. The pieces quiver in the light and come to life upon contact with the skin. By challenging our perceptions, this collection leads us into a world of sensory stimulation. Each sense comes alive, including the sixth sense – a staggering feeling of emotion that touches the heart.

The Phaan Ring brings the beauty of an 8.20-carat ruby, integrating groups of triangular diamonds that catch the light and illuminate the central red element. The Meride Necklace is composed of diamond, onyx and rock crystal to form a hypnotic checkerboard. The Pixelage Necklace conjures the image of a panther, so dear to Cartier. Polished onyxes evoke the marbling of the fur, while white, yellow and orange diamonds represent the thickness of the pelt, with their golden reflections highlighted by three captivating golden topazes. The Parhelia Ring has a 21.51-carat sapphire cabochon with an intense blue hue. Around it, five parentheses of radiant diamonds and emeralds reflect the light, fanning out like the surface of a lake. The Alaxoa Necklace is an elegant drop of emeralds cascading with the suppleness of living material, as diamond accents bring a fleeting sparkle to each movement. The Sharkara Necklace plays with variations of the same hue bringing tourmalines and coloured sapphires in a rainbow of pinks illuminated by the brightness of orange garnets and diamonds. The last piece, the Coruscant Necklace, is a vibrant testament to the enchanting power of diamonds. It features six different cuts – kite, octagonal, emerald, triangle, baguette and brilliant, reflecting light from a unique angle.

To be the ambassador of the collection, Cartier borrowed the natural beauty of Golshifteh Farahani. Golshifteh is an accomplished actor, singer, and musician. In her 20-year career, she has made her mark on the red carpet, known for her style and elegance. Her multi-faceted personality makes her the perfect embodiment of Cartier High Jewellery, which draws its inspiration from a diverse and multicultural heritage.