Musee Christian Dior: Les Annees Bohan

Marc Bohan for Christian Dior Pink Dress, Sketch by Ingrid Mida, copyright 2009

Marc Bohan designed for the house of Dior for nearly thirty years. Bohan began as an assistant at Dior in 1946 and later ran the London England branch of the house. After Yves Saint Laurent was dismissed from Dior in 1961, Marc Bohan took over the duties as designer. Bohan's collections for Dior were known for their quiet elegance and dedication to the ideal of "la beaute des femmes".

In May 1989, Bohan was replaced at Dior by Gianfranco Ferre and went on to become the fashion director of Norman Hartnell from 1990-1992. After that, he designed only under his own label. Monsieur Bohan graciously wrote a preface to the exhibition pamphlet in which he said (if my translation is correct) "my only ambition was always to justify the confidence credited to me".

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, Musee Christian Dior in Granville, France is exhibiting a retrospective of Bohan's work for Dior called "Dior, Les Annees Bohan 1961-1989". Encompassing three floors of Christian Dior's childhood home, the exhibition is packed with beautiful gowns (including a number worn by Princess Grace of Monaco), pantsuits, coats and accessories,

Floorplan of the exhibition

Unfortunately, there was no exhibition catalogue and photos were not allowed. However, I managed to make one mad sketch of my favourite Bohan for Dior dress which I think was in the room of gowns worn by Princess Caroline of Monaco. This hot pink number sang to me and I think its timeless elegance would make it wearable even today!

This exhibition will continue to September 20, 2009.

Musee Christian Dior
50400 Granville, France
02.33.61.48.21
www.musee-dior-granville.com

Musee Christian Dior in Granville, France

Photo credit: Ingrid Mida, copyright 2009

As a tribute to Father's Day, I thought I'd share my photos from Christian Dior's rose garden in Granville, France. My father was a devoted gardener and the vision of his pretty little rose garden will always be with me. (Sadly, I did not inherit my father's green thumb!)

Christian Dior's home, which is perched on the cliffs overlooking the ocean, is now a museum (and one of the museums on my bucket list). Each summer, the museum hosts an exhibition and this year, Marc Bohan's thirty years of designs for the house of Dior are chronicled. (Sorry, no photos were allowed inside.)


The grounds were stunningly beautiful and included several lovely garden rooms, filled with the heady scent of roses. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Granville, you'll understand why Christian Dior made the long trek from Paris back to his boyhood home as often as his schedule allowed. Dior's rose garden is what I imagine heaven is like.

Photo credit: Ingrid Mida, copyright 2009