Christian Dior ‘Designer of Dreams’  – TOKYO 

Dior in Japan

So we are back from a wonderful trip to Japan! This trip has been on our wish list forever. We were about to book flights just as Covid took hold. But as Japan is now fully opened up to tourists, with all restrictions being lifted the day before we arrived, off we went on an adventure!

We did a bit of a tour using the Shinkansen (bullet) train starting in Tokyo, followed by Fuji, Hiroshima, Osaka , Kyoto before heading back to to Tokyo. And yes, the trains were every bit as efficient as you’d imagine!

Of course, it was a hugely inspiring trip. I’m a big fan of cities, much more than the countryside and Japan did not disappoint.

I thought you’d enjoy some of the things we saw. I’ll get around to posting them on Instagram too at some point. You can breathe a sigh of relief, I’m talking textiles, fabric shops and The Dior exhibition. Maybe some architecture and manhole covers. I’m not planning on boring you with my holiday photos, though the nodding deer were fun. There are so many photos and videos I actually had to buy extra storage on my phone!

I’m starting off strong with the wonders of Dior and the Christian Dior ‘Designer of Dreams’ exhibition. I think everyone can appreciate and enjoy the beauty of this exhibition. It’s been to 7 cities to date. I’ve seen it in Paris (thanks to very kind friends) and in London so this was my third time. I have enjoyed how the exhibition has reflected and changed in response to each place. You’ll see below the Dior and Japan room was made from wood and washi paper.

Lost in Tokyo.

Honestly, we had to practically run around as our ticket was for 5pm, and closing at 6pm, but it was our second day in Tokyo, so got a smidge lost!  If you are ever travelling with me and I say ‘we’ll just get on this subway train and get off at the next station if it’s going in the wrong direction and come back’. Do not listen to me – turns out wasn’t the subway but a local train going in the wrong direction out of Tokyo….

Anyway, we made it to see a little Dior in Japan, before closing and it was wonderful. I recognised some pieces from the London exhibition. The setting was designed as a tribute to Japanese culture by architect Shohei Shigematsu and the aim of the Tokyo exhibition was to explore further the strong links between Japan and Dior. I’m just going to share pictures but you can read more here at WWD, Museum Of Contemporary Art in Tokyo, Dezeen and DesignBoom

And the pièce de résistance … The Dior Ball was an oversized mirrored ‘staircase’ that had an impressive light show. The idea was that it was a ‘long processional staircase’ similar to the ones that lead up to traditional shrines and had a mirrored roof so seemed to go on into infinity.

Of course, my favourite room was The Toile Room. I think I’d be very happy if I never left there.

*updated to add – I’ll have to do a part 2 as I’ve just found more photos of some of the other rooms!