I love Dior but I wouldn’t have included this in our travel itinerary. My 2 young travel buddies are both into visual arts, fashion and merchandising. We had a list of art galleries and museums on our itinerary along with visits to selected stores. I must confess I am not familiar with many of the new brands. But Dior, I know. I remember buying my first Dior skirt out of my first paycheck many moons ago. A set of suitcases and a Dior skirt totally wiped out my first pay check. And from my first Christmas bonus, I bought myself a Dior purse. And another skirt. And then began my loyalty to Diorissimo, that perfume line with a floral (lily of the valley) scent. So yes, I’m a Dior loyalist. But still, this was their idea, not mine.

The Dior Galerie was impressive. Well-curated and creatively set up to tell the Dior story.
It may not be my idea but I’m glad these 2
dragged me here.

Christian Dior died in 1957 but his house lived on, ably led by a line of creative directors many of whom have since set up their own haute couture house. Think YSL (he was only 21 when he took over the helm upon CD’s death), Gianfranco Ferré, who designed that famous and classic Lady Dior bag, among others. Yet 75 years after his first show, this art museum was set up in the same prestigious address amidst the uncertainties brought on by the pandemic (2022). To this day, the Dior brand still evokes elegance, luxury, superior quality and above all, sensuality — just core femininity.

Haute Couture!
Timeless elegance.

Christian Dior was born into a wealthy family. Their former home in Normandy has since been converted into a Dior Museum. Long after its founder has gone, the fashion house has ventured beyond luxury clothes and now into jewelry, watches, fragrances, bags, makeup, body care, skin care, etc. Of interest is how some of its brands have survived through the years like the Dior fragrances for men and women. Classic brand equity. Unbeatable in this day and age. (Trivia: The perfume line “Eau de Savage” retained Johnny Depp as model/brand endorser amidst all the controversy surrounding the actor. While other brands have cancelled him, Dior stuck with Depp and that daring, albeit risky move, turned out to be a major play that saw Sauvage sales skyrocket. Consequently, Depp’s contract was renewed.)

Coffee and The at the House Cafe.

The House of Dior has nurtured a loyal clientele and retained its reputable brand of luxury and elegance. You get the same brand of class and restrained beauty and grace as you get seated to a table and served a pot of tea or a cup of coffee and bruschetta in the Galerie cafe. Christian Dior has a rich history and his house and galerie succeeded in telling and retelling its story. If one can’t wangle an invitation to the house’s fashion shows, your best bet is to buy a ticket online to get admitted to its galerie. Being here is akin to attending a semi- permanent fashion design show. Though it opened only a year ago, it has attracted much interest from the ladies (only saw a few men in line) across generations. So artfully curated!