FROM DUBLIN TO DIOR
Rosaleen McMeel takes a jaunt to London for an exclusive look at the Dior exhibit at the V&A
Irish links to the Dior exhibition at the V&A simply add to its charm,
says ROSALEEN McMEEL.
It was Dalkey-born editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar Carmel Snow who declared Christian Dior’s 1947 collection a “new look”, putting the designer firmly on the world’s fashion radar. So it’s serendipitous that another Irish woman, Oriole Cullen, curated the latest retrospective at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams is the largest Dior exhibition ever to be staged in the UK. Although previously staged in Paris two years
ago, thanks to some impressive detective work on Dublin-born Cullen’s part, 60 per cent of the 500 objects in the V&A version (including make-up, photographs and accessories) were not in the Paris exhibition, offering true fans yet more treasures to enjoy. The exhibition traces the history of Dior from his first collection to the present day and explores his relationship with Britain, a place he was particularly fond of and inspired by. One such piece includes the matinée poétique dress Dior designed for Princess Margaret’s 21st birthday celebrations. The dress – and its striking asymmetric shoulder line – became the princess’ favourite and an icon of fashion, thanks to a famous portrait by photographer Cecil Beaton.
Unfortunately, tickets are almost as rare as finding haute couture in your local charity shop. But I discovered a way around the sold-out status and the two-hour queue for limited release daily entries. The Kensington Hotel is currently offering “The House of Kensington” – a three-night package available until September, which includes a stay in one of the hotel’s sumptuous Signature Suites, a pair of tickets to the exhibition, and a round of bespoke “The Corolle” cocktails. I was fortunate enough to sample all of the above.
Thanks to the hotel’s close proximity to London’s Museum Mile and a continuing association with the V&A and Royal Albert Hall, The Kensington is the perfect spot to stay while culture-seeking in the British capital. The hotel, which is part of the Doyle Hotel Group (yet more Irish connections) has been recently refurbished, and is bright, warm and luxurious in a non-pretentious sense. The Signature Suites are likened to spacious, private apartments, some complemented with Juliette balconies overlooking the leafy corner of South Kensington’s classic thoroughfares.
Town House is the hotel restaurant (and well worth a visit for the sommelier’s expertise alone).
It is interconnected with The Drawing Rooms on the ground floor, ideal for an elegant afternoon tea in front of the open fire or a relaxed meeting, while the K Bar is a buzzy, vibrant spot at night. Although I’m not usually partial to cocktails – give me a good glass of wine any day – it would have been rude not to avail of The Corolle, specially created by the hotel and inspired by Dior’s first collection in 1947 named “La Ligne Corolle”. I was pleasantly surprised by this elevated twist on the classic “French 75”, served in a cut crystal glass flute. The hotel has done a superb job in adding to the sense of occasion, and I’d like to think Dior himself would have approved. Santé.