L’Or de Dior added a Midas Touch to Beijing this September

Dior rolled out the gold carpet in Beijing this September with L’Or de Dior, an exhibition that glimmered with decades of the Maison’s fascination with gold. Running from September 2 to 29, 2024, at the Guardian Art Center, this exhibition celebrated Dior’s long-standing love affair with the calibered metal that has been woven through its history from the very beginning.

The exhibition was a visual spectacle—an immersive experience where art, couture, and perfume converged. Visitors step into a King Midas’ world, a place that would have made Christian Dior unspeakably pleased. For Dior, gold has been an emblem of elegance, power, and eternal beauty. This is brought to life through meticulously curated spaces that combine art, fashion, and fragrance. Each room becomes a chapter in Dior’s golden story, revealing over seventy years of creations that sparkle with the Maison’s signature savoir-faire.

From couture gowns to perfumes, the exhibition traversed Dior’s illustrious history, with particular emphasis on J’adore, the iconic perfume that has captivated hearts for decades. The metamorphosis of J’adore was given a space of its own, where haute couture gowns from 1999 onwards offered a hypnotic tribute to the fragrance’s muses. Francis Kurkdjian, the current Perfume Creation Director at Dior, has recently reinterpreted this beloved scent, and it continues to captivate in a new campaign featuring Rihanna—a modern icon in her own right. It’s this ongoing reinvention, Dior’s ability to evolve while honouring its past, that the exhibition so perfectly encapsulates.

L’Or de Dior is both a portal to the House’s past and a window into its future, especially of its enduring relationship with China. The timing of the exhibition couldn’t be more poignant, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China. This long-standing connection is reflected in the pieces on display—creations by both Chinese and international artists, each drawing inspiration from Dior’s muse. Notable works include scanographic portraits by Katerina Jebb and digital installations by Refik Anadol, as well as sculptures by renowned names like Jean-Michel Othoniel and Marina Abramović. These collaborations underscore Dior’s commitment to fostering cultural exchange through creativity, a commitment that has defined the Maison since its inception in 1947.

One of the highlights of the exhibition was the Lady Dior bag, which has become a canvas for international artists through the Lady Dior As Seen By and Dior Lady Art projects. For the first time, visitors got an exclusive look at the latest reinterpretations from the ninth edition of this project. Each bag is transformed into a work of art, offering a fresh perspective on an iconic piece of fashion history. This collaboration between art and couture epitomises Dior’s philosophy—where the line between fashion and art is often blurred, and where every creation tells a story.

As the exhibition draws to a close, one cannot help but reflect on Dior’s golden legacy and its far-reaching influence. Gold, in all its splendour, serves as a reminder of the House’s dedication to craftsmanship and artistry. Through this luminous journey, L’Or de Dior not only celebrates the past but also sets the stage for Dior’s future—a future where the Maison continues to shine, as bright and timeless as the gold it so loves.