The NGV’s recent collection of garments from global fashion powerhouse Dior drew more than 276,000 visitors, making it the biggest exhibition of its kind.
Attracting fashion lovers from across Victoria and beyond, the world premiere fashion exhibition The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture was the NGV’s most successful ticketed fashion exhibition to date.
Almost 20 per cent of the 276,034 visitors were from interstate and almost six per cent were from overseas.
The Melbourne-exclusive exhibition celebrated seventy years since the release of Dior’s debut spring collection ‘New Look’ in 1947 and featured over 140 iconic garments designed between 1947 and 2017.
The exhibition was an international collaboration between the NGV and the House of Dior in Paris, and was supported by the Andrews Labor Government.
It included specially commissioned pieces by designers Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri, live demonstrations from Christian Dior Couture’s artisans and a spectacular replica of the House’s iconic staircase.
The success of The House of Dior follows the record breaking 2017 Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition Van Gogh and the Seasons, which was the most popular exhibition in the NGV’s history and delivered $55.8 million for the state’s economy.
The NGV is now preparing for its most ambitious undertaking to date, the NGV Triennial, which will feature the work of more than 100 artists and designers from 32 countries. The exhibition will open in mid-December.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley
“The House of Dior exhibition not only celebrated the extraordinary work of one of the world’s great fashion houses, it also put on show the skill, expertise and flair of our team at the NGV.”
“This was a world premiere, Melbourne-exclusive exhibition and another standout success for Australia’s leading gallery and our creative state.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren
“Blockbuster exhibitions like The House of Dior bring more visitors to our fashion capital and make an impressive impact on our state’s economy.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020