Luxury fashion house Christian Dior opened an international flagship store in Beijing’s Shin Kong Place on December 15th, 2011. The establishment of the Shin Kong Place Christian Dior store is reflective of the brand’s commitment to China. Amidst the globalization trend, Dior has the intention to contribute, by means of its brand heritage, to China’s economic and cultural growth, through its French cultural and creative concepts.
In celebration of the store opening in Beijing, Dior has spent two years curating a collection of art works inspired by “Lady Dior”. Almost 60 famous international photographers, graphic designers, image artists and filmmakers have participated in the project by creating exclusive pieces. The result is an elaborately planned “Lady Dior As Seen By” exhibition which will run for one month commencing December 15th at the Huamao Plaza outside the Shin Kong Place as a prelude to the grand opening of Christian Dior’s international flagship store in Shin Kong Place.
The Lady Dior purse collection, another signature piece of the brand, was launched in 1995 when Mrs. Jacques Chirac, the then-First French Lady, gave it as a gift to the visiting Princess Diana, who subsequently became a huge fan of the collection. Boasting extraordinary craftsmanship, Lady Dior immediately became a timeless fashion legend, and Chinese artists including Liu Jianhua, Quentin Shih and Rong Rong and Inri will contribute to the exhibition in a re-interpretation of the collection, alongside international figures such as David Lynch, Nan Goldin, Peter Lindbergh, Patrick Demarchelier and Kohei Nawa.
To celebrate the opening Dior has invited more than 300 guests including actress Maggie Cheung and actor Huang Xiaoming, who has performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside LVMH Chairman Bernard Arnault and Christian Dior’s President and Chief Executive Officer Sidney Toledano. In addition to the Chinese artists who have partnered with Christian Dior, namely Liu Jianhua, Wang Gongxin, Huang Rui, Rong Rong, Inri, Wen Fang and Wing Shya, Norwegian photographer Rune Guneriussen will also grace the momentous occasion, alongside such esteemed guests as Sylvie-Agnès Bermann, French Ambassador to China.
The flagship store occupies an area of approximately 800 square meters and will showcase an impressive collection of women’s wear, as well as handbags, shoes, accessories and watches. The space also includes a Dior Homme boutique, which will showcase the menswear line, accessories and watches. Renowned architect Peter Marino has rendered the storefront in special LED lights recreating the legendary Dior’s classic “Cannage” design, whilst also adding his own contemporary signature touch to create an elegant, luxurious and modern ambiance that fittingly reflects the House of Dior.
In collaboration with fellow contemporary artists, internationally- acclaimed architect Peter Marino has commissioned a selection of unique pieces for the new Beijing flagship store. With its exquisitely adorned interior walls and show windows, the store reflects the quintessence of French aesthetics. The circular lobby features an eye-catching Swarovski crystal chandelier and a round bronze chair by Terence Main, accentuated with flowers delivered fresh from France, and exudes a typically French look through the marble flooring inspired by Dior’s signature “Cannage” quilting pattern. The chair, a reinterpretation of the prestigious Louis XVI design, is testament to the brand’s distinctive style whilst simultaneously breathing a contemporary element into the overall aesthetic.
To deliver on its promise of bringing fine quality, luxury and creativity to China, the Christian Dior Shin Kong Place flagship store will offer the country’s most complete Dior Homme collection designed by Van Assche, including suits, sportswear, denim, leather goods, accessories, footwear and watches. The upcoming Spring/Summer collection 2012 will also integrate elegance with opulence and unparalleled garment-making skills.
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