Christian Dior once said: “There is no other country in the world, besides my own, whose way of life I like so much. I love English traditions, English politeness, English architecture. I even love English cooking.”

Well, if our nation could talk, it would say: “Right back at ya, Dior”. For we are poised to slaver over The V&A’s exhibition of the master couturier’s work. Pre-viewers are raving.

Vogue calls Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams an “All-out, unabashed celebration of the glamour of Dior”.

The Londonist website says of the museum’s second largest fashion exhibition ever that it is a “Truly jaw-dropping exhibition…which every fashion fan is going to want to see. Packed with beautiful dresses, fabulous exhibition design and sheer class, it’s a fashionista’s dream...”

The exhibition is on until 14th July (buy tickets here), but if you can’t get to it – or one viewing simply isn’t enough, here are the Instagram feeds that will scratch your couture itch.

Valentino
@maisonvalentino



Expansive gowns in the brightest jewel hues were the order of the day at Pierpaolo Piccioli’s couture collection for Valentino this year. In the grand surroundings of the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild in Paris, fantasy merged with reality.

Viktor & Rolf
@viktorandrolf



The avant-garde, luxury fashion house, which launched in 1993, was a compelling riot of neon, patches and slogans at haute couture week in Paris. The pic of a strong bunch is of Rolf’s dachshund, Little Swan, getting ready for the show amid a spread of tulle flowers.

Chanel
@chanelofficial



Set in a Mediterranean garden, azure swimming pool included, Chanel’s haute couture show set Instagram ablaze last month with hand-painted feathers, floral motifs and the prettiest pastel colours.

Dior
@dior



The circus was the theme at Maria Grazia Chiuri’s incredible couture show for Dior in Paris. It was all there: an exquisite pastel harlequin; romantic, matte satin ball gowns; and a ringmaster in frogged red tailoring.

Jean Paul Gaultier
@jpgaultierofficial



With a rainbow of colour, geometric silhouettes and a couturier’s take on the humble jelly shoe, Gaultier’s feed has to be seen to be believed.

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Photo: Adrien Dirand

February 2019