Dior recently hit Seoul city with a monumental opening: Its largest flagship boutique in Asia, a six-storey boutique designed by Pritzker prize winner Christian de Portzamparc and decorated by Peter Marino. Marking the occasion was the Asian debut of the “Esprit Dior” exhibition was launched, showcasing unique collaborations with local artists.
Following suit, a new travelling exhibition now resides in the boutique’s VIP salon – “Lady Dior As Seen By” featuring 17 sculptures of the house’s most iconic bag.
Artists were given carte blanche to reinterpret the distinctive identity, history and architectural curves as they pleased, and the result spans an ice berg-like bag by multi-disciplinary artist Olympia Scarry and a pin-embellished bag by Ran Huang, to photographic works by Patrick Demarchelier, Nan Goldin and David Lynch, to name a few.
Continuing the house’s tradition of collaborating with artists, the exhibition also features works by three creative Koreans: A delicate sculpture by Jung Poy Hong; a reconstructed bag fashioned with a mixture of charcoal and gold leaves; and geometrical construction surrounding a bright blue Lady Dior by Oh You Kyeong.
Also in the building that’s worth a visit – beyond the floors of sartorial treasures – is Café Dior, perched on the rooftop. It promises to tantalise sweet tooths with perfectly puffed patisserie, chiocolate, ice cream and some of the best Brazilian coffees in town. The crown in the collection, however, is the must-try series of Pierre Hermés’ Haute Couture creations, Délire Délice, a choux pastry creation with smooth hazelnut cream, caramelised hazelnuts and praline ice cream.
By Dana Koh