Step into a world where fashion, art, and culture converge in a luminous celebration of gold at Dior’s latest exhibition in Beijing.
Set against the majestic backdrop of the Guardian Art Center near the Forbidden City, the exhibition radiates with opulence, drawing visitors into a multisensory throughout 15 thematic rooms that explore gold’s iconic presence in Dior’s storied history.
The retrospective, open to the public free of charge until September 29, is a dazzling display of Dior’s creative mastery, blending archival fashion pieces and contemporary artworks in an immersive exploration of the color, material, and symbolism of gold. As part of the “Croisements 60” festival – a celebration marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between China and France – the exhibition solidifies Dior’s connection with China, where the color gold holds deep cultural significance.
“There is only one thing I want every visitor to experience: to make the dream”, says Veronique Curtoise, chief executive officer of Parfum Christian Dior. “Dior is a house of dreams, and my ambition is to enlarge the group of dreamers in the world”.
A House of Dreams Bathed in Gold
Upon entering, visitors are welcomed by a graphic painting by Chinese artist Chen Ke, titled “Mr. Dior and Models”, setting the tone for an enchanting journey. The exhibition begins with a cabinet of curiosities, displaying golden treasures such as miniature New Look dresses, gilded jewelry, and the iconic J’adore perfume bottle – complete with a piece worn by Charlize Theron in the 2006 Rouge Dior campaign.
For Dior, gold is more than a color. “It is an important attribute of the brand”, explains Courtois. Dior’s deep association with gold unfolds across the exhibition, showcasing the Maison’s golden couture silhouettes designed by Christian Dior himself and his successors – Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferre, John Galliano, and Maria Grazia Chiuri.
The highlight? Rihanna, the latest face of J’adore, who graces the exhibition in a golden embroidered bustier gown from her campaign for the fragrance. Her powerful, ethereal presence injects new life into Dior’s vision. “Rihanna brings genuine energy”, says Courtois. “She is strong, free, and undeniably a global icon”.
An Immersive, Multisensory Experience
A golden glow envelopes visitors as they walk through rooms like “The Golden Dream”, where couture pieces evoke the timeless elegance of Dior’s vision, and “The Golden Garden”, where imagined haute couture parties unfold amid works by artists like Yuriko Takagi and Lionel Esteve.
Art lovers will revel in “Christian Dior’s Gallery”, where contemporary Chinese artists reimagine Dior’s relationship with gold through works like Liu Jianhua’s 2012 The Illuminated Object, a stunning reconfiguration of the J’adore bottle into 2,000 ceramic droplets. Equally captivating is Refik Anadol’s digital fresco, A Dream of Gold and Flowers, an avant-garde fusion of Dior’s dreamscape and modern technology.
A Golden Celebration, Amplified Online
Dior spared no effort in turning the opening of this exhibition into a global event, hosting a two-hour livestream that attracted more than 71.2 million views. A glittering array of Dior ambassadors – including Lang Lang, Dilraba Dilmurat, Wang Junkai, and Carina Lau – offered their perspective on the Maison’s iconic relationship with gold, sharing the magic of Dior with viewers worldwide.
In every room, from fashion to fragrance, art to architecture, Dior’s Beijing exhibition is an ode to gold – a celebration of luxury, dreams, and the enduring power of creative vision. For those lucky enough to experience it, the exhibition not only honors Dior’s history but also cements the brand’s place in the future of fashion, where gold shines eternally.
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