Lady Dior As Seen By

 Photo by Jacopo Moschin for Elle Italia, October 2012

Yesterday evening Christian Dior's exhibition 'Lady Dior As Seen By' opened at Milan's Triennale museum. The extremely inspiring show features the house's iconic Lady Dior handbag as interpreted by 80 international artists and photographers. The exhibit, which launched in Shanghai and which has also been shown in Beijing and Tokyo is an homage to founder Christian Dior's love and support of art and new artists. I had no clue before seeing this exhibit that Mr. Dior had been a gallerist prior to becoming a couturier? Did you?

And he wasn't just any ordinary gallerist either, he and his partners presented and supported great artists like Man Ray, Salvador Dalì, Alberto Giacometti, and Alexander Calder early in their careers. Even after opening his phenomenal haute couture house, Mr. Dior continued to champion the works of young artists. To honor Mr. Dior's legacy of support, Dior commissioned 24 young Italian artists to create works inspired by the Lady Dior for it's Milan exhibit. Twelve of the 24 were selected to be featured in an dedicated catalog, and two artists were chosen to exhibit at the Trienalle along side the main works of 'Lady Dior As Seen By'. The main works include gorgeous photographs by Nan Goldin, Mikael Jansson, Paolo Roversi and Camila Akrans, and sculptures by the Recycle Group, Kengo Kito and Kohei Nawa. The exhibit runs through November 4th.

And you've probably been wondering this whole time, "what's the picture of her holding the customized Lady Dior all about?" It's about Elle Italia giving me the opportunity to participate in the 'Lady Dior As Seen By' experience in their October Issue. The story features the Lady Dior as seen by myself and five other amazing girls, Viviana Volpicella, Micol Sabbadini, Ilaria Norsa and Sara Battaglia. It was a blast! Elle sent the Lady Dior to my house. I went shopping for vintage, crystal flower buttons and rubber insects. AND, I got a glue gun!! I always wanted one (smile). And a few sticky-stuck fingers later, I came up with my Lady Dior which was inspired by the wall of flowers that lined Raf Simons' debut Christian Dior Haute Couture FW12 runway show. Thanks to my family at Elle. It was great collaborating with you again. Always love! And here's to a great handbag!!!! xoxox

Outfit Details: Vintage varsity jacket, vintage white t-shirt and Christian Dior skirt.