ART’N DIOR

Christian Dior, founder of the House of Dior, was a gallerist before becoming a fashion designer. The exhibition “ART’N DIOR” pays tribute to Monsieur Dior’s artistic pursuits, embarking on a distinctive journey of artistic exploration through the creative masterpieces that have left an indelible mark on the brand’s history.

In 1946, Christian Dior moved into the attic at 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris, witnessing the birth of a temple of fashion. Today, Avenue Montaigne gathers renowned luxury brands from around the world. As one of its earliest boutiques, 30 Avenue Montaigne remains the soul of Dior—an iconic symbol of haute couture and Parisian elegance.

As the scene shifts, we stroll along Nanjing’s Changjiang Road, where eighteen centuries of history quietly unfold. Entering Deji Plaza, situated at the intersection of the “Museum Mile” and “China’s Premier Commercial District,” and ascending to the Deji Art Museum at its pinnacle, one encounters an exquisite convergence of exceptional luxury brands and artistic treasures spanning ancient and modern, Eastern and Western cultures. This creates a subtle, timeless connection with the attic scene at 30 Avenue Montaigne in 1946.

Since its establishment in 1946, DIOR has continuously articulated a language of avant-garde fashion through elegant and opulent styles. Its haute couture creations and iconic handbag designs have become enduring classics. Beyond fashion, Dior consistently conveys the artistic passion and cultural mission that has defined the brand for over seven decades, making relentless efforts to advance global cultural and artistic development through diverse fashion-art exhibitions, collaborative projects, and awards.

Visitors will have the opportunity to follow the global tour of the “LADY DIOR AS SEEN BY” exhibition, admiring masterful artworks from around the world. This artistic celebration specially features extraordinary creations by Chinese artists Yang Mian, Zhang Ruyi, Liu Wa, and Bao Yang. Additionally, the exhibition showcases design masterpieces by international artists including Youkyeong Oh, Youssef Nabil, and Camilla Akrans. Each artist offers a personalized interpretation of the LADY DIOR handbag through their unique vision.

Within this dreamlike journey, visitors will also encounter the “DIOR LADY ART #7” limited-edition artist collaboration series. Artists reimagine the classic LADY DIOR bag through distinctive creativity. Concurrently, a reimagined handbag masterpiece by Chinese artist Wang Yuyang is displayed alongside his representative work Moon 20190810, harmonizing contemporary fashion with modern art, and exquisite craftsmanship with imaginative wonder. In 2021, Dior collaborated with seventeen global artists to reinterpret the “Medallion Chair”—an emblem of the Dior haute couture house. This collection is also featured in the exhibition. Notably, renowned Chinese architect Ma Yansong reinterprets the classic Medallion Chair through a futuristic lens. His work, titled Liuxing, crafted from monochromatic 3D-printed polyurethane, resembles an architectural gem that blends natural inspiration with three-dimensional structure, evoking profound emotional resonance.

Guided by its mission to “transcend cultural and temporal boundaries,” Deji Art Museum builds upon three core curatorial philosophies—contemporary context, local cultural identity, and global perspective—to develop a comprehensive system for collections, research, and exhibitions. It is dedicated to becoming Nanjing’s representative, internationally-oriented cultural platform and comprehensive art institution. For this “ART’N DIOR” exhibition, Deji Art Museum and Dior unite in exploring the boundless imagination and infinite possibilities shared by art and fashion.