'Christian Dior – A New Look' Exhibition at Kunstmuseum Den Haag

An Exhibition of Christian Dior's Iconic Legacy and the Evolution of Haute Couture

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Visiting the Kunstmuseum in The Hague for the Dior – A New Look exhibition was a journey through history, style, and the enduring impact of one of the most influential fashion houses in the world. The name Dior is synonymous with elegance, innovation, and timeless beauty, and stepping into this exhibition felt like stepping into a world where craftsmanship and vision merge into pure artistry.

Christian Dior’s designs, which revolutionized fashion in the post-war years, still resonate today. The exhibition captured this beautifully, showcasing the evolution of the house from its founder’s groundbreaking New Look to the work of designers who carried on his legacy—Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons, and Maria Grazia Chiuri. It was fascinating to see how each of them brought their own interpretation while remaining true to the essence of Dior’s vision.

One of the most striking elements of the exhibition was the dialogue between the past and the present. On one side, there were the iconic full skirts and cinched waists of Dior’s 1947 collection, the style that earned the name New Look from Harper’s Bazaar editor Carmel Snow. These designs felt like a statement of optimism after the war, a return to femininity, luxury, and beauty. On the other, Maria Grazia Chiuri’s modern interpretations stood proudly alongside them—designs that still carried the DNA of Dior but were created for today’s women, blending feminism with fashion. The inclusion of her simple yet powerful T-shirts bearing slogans like We Should All Be Feminists brought the exhibition into the present, showing how Dior’s legacy continues to evolve.

Walking through the rooms, I was struck by how much thought and detail went into each piece. The craftsmanship was breathtaking. From the delicate embroidery to the intricate beading and the precise tailoring, every garment was a testament to the artistry behind haute couture. Seeing some of the original sketches, alongside the final pieces, made it clear just how much effort and imagination went into each design. There were also stunning photographs, some taken by Viviane Sassen for the exhibition, which added a fresh, contemporary perspective to Dior’s legacy.