VIRTUAL LECTURE (LIVE) | FOR THE LOVE OF FASHION 3 | The House of Dior with Kenneth Park

Join Kenneth Park as he presents his lecture ‘The House of Dior’ via Zoom. Please ensure you have downloaded and signed up to Zoom before the lecture begins https://zoom.us/

The lecture will begin promptly at 2:30pm. Please ensure you are online before the start to allow admittance to the lecture. Lectures are not recorded and can only be viewed at the time listed on your ticket. Ticket sales will close at midday on day of lecture, unless sold out prior.

**Link to Zoom meeting will be emailed prior to the lecture. Please see note on your ticket. If you have any concerns please email  visitorservices@johnstoncollection.org**

The House of Dior was started in December,1946 by Christian Dior (21 January 1905 – 23 October 1957) His name lives on as the House of Dior which has stores all around the world. On 8 December 1946, with Boussac's backing, Dior founded his fashion house. “Dior's designs were more voluptuous than the boxy, fabric-conserving shapes of the recent World War II styles, influenced by the rations on fabric.

He was a master at creating shapes and silhouettes; Dior is quoted as saying "I have designed flower women." His look employed fabrics lined predominantly with percale, boned, bustier-style bodices, hip padding, wasp-waisted corsets and petticoats that made his dresses flare out from the waist, giving his models a very curvaceous form.”

At first many women did not take his designs as they covered up their legs, which they had been unused to because of the previous limitations on fabric. Many thought that there were perplexed by the excessive use of fabric! Of the “New Look”, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel said the following, “Look how ridiculous these women are, wearing clothes by a man who doesn’t know women, never had one, and dreams of being one.” Nonetheless, he would go on create a remarkable fashion label that has endured with the name Dior = style, luxury and beauty.

KENNETH W PARK has served as Curator of Collections at Wesley College, Melbourne for just on thirty years. This role sees him responsible for the school’s extensive art and archival collections. Kenneth also consults in both the corporate and public sectors in philanthropic fundraising (especially in planned giving) as well as marketing, sponsorship, art, membership / loyalty and public relations.

An avid traveller, tour leader and lecturer, Kenneth works with a range of tourism organisations and travel companies across the globe. He lives by the motto: ‘Life is a grand tour so make the most of it’. His tertiary studies include political science, administration, museum studies, industrial relations, fine arts, history and international relations. Kenneth has a passion for travel, food, wine, arts, architecture, history, and good conversation … essentially the good life!

Image supplied | Eva Perón, the First Lady of Argentina in a Dior gown