Mexican style and sensibility by Christian Dior at the Designer of Dreams exhibition, Victoria & Albert Museum London

Christian Dior, Designer of Dreams at V&A Museum, London.
Photo by Lucia Carpio.

To look at the influence of Mexican cultures and sensibility in fashion we enjoy today one goes back not just to the highly popular Frida Khalo exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum last year, but also to Christian Dior, the French fashion couturier whose Designer of Dreams exhibition (a sold-out event) currently running at the V & A as well.

Monsieur Dior (born 1905 and died 1957) took inspiration from influences around the world for his ground-breaking looks.  He loved to travel as early as in his twenties when he visited places far and wide, from London to Athens and Istanbul, he had spent a year in the Balearic Islands.

Born in Normandy, his love of global cultures grew as his business prospered.  Recognising the importance of the international market, he had made references to different countries through his various creations and collections,  exhibiting his admiration of countries that included  India, Egypt, Japan, South Africa Mexico and Australia.  Monsieur Dior named several of his dresses after a country and several of these are on show in the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition currently running at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London until 1st September 2019.

This dress above is one of the dresses that demonstrated Dior's interest in Mexican style and art. His bold A-line skirts, which have become a signature of the house, are reminiscent of the Tehuana style, complete with a sombrero hat. 
The current house creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri also revisited the Mexican journey with her Escaramuza Charra show last year.

Christian Dior, Designer of Dreams at V&A Museum, London.
Photo by Lucia Carpio.

The creation above here is another Mexican-inspired dress by Monsieur Dior,  It was referred to as a dance dress with a label  'PRINTEMPS-ETE Christian Dior MADE IN FRANCE' on the inside.

According to information provided by the V&A, the dress was featured in French Vogue (March 1953) and L'Officiel (April 1953).  In the summer of 1953, the Duchess of Windsor (née Mrs Wallis Simpson) chose a Dior dress made in the same fabric and printed with a dot and scallop pattern to wear at the Circus Ball in Paris (American Vogue, 15 August 1953).

Further information from the V&A stated that this is a Mexico evening dress made in Paris in 1953, designed by Christian Dior, and made by Bianchini-Férier, Atelier Germaine.

Materials and techniques used included  printed silk organza, boned, net foundation, crêpe de Chine stiffened with net and organza, metal hooks and eyes.

Colours and Vibes of Mexico by way of Frida Kahlo

The Frida Kahlo effect in fashion and interior designs continues today following the successful exhibition of the iconic designer at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London last year, along with the colourful influence of Mexico.

Above: Frida Kahlo™ cushion, paper cups and plates available at Talking Tables.

From Talking Tables' Boho range of tableware and accessories comes an Aztec-inspired palette of bold, punchy brights, taking inspiration from Mexico's rich culture and history and paying homage to Frida Kahlo's brazen spirit and iconic style, with trompe l'oeil embroidery, fold-style geometrics, naïve florals and lavishly costumed llamas, as well as the artist Frida herself, emblazoned across lanterns paper plates, cups and napkins.  The Frida effect to the max.

Meanwhile London based designer and photographer Jacqui Sinnatt, founder of the St Agnes Eve brand has created a new range of silk scarves with her signature approach. The designer said her new "The Frida" silk scarf collection was created after visiting the exhibition.  She said the big, bold flowers and bright colours reflect Frida's passion for life, vibrant paintings and colourful dress style, the stone texture and border design reference Frida's disabilities and the hardship she suffered throughout her life.

These scarfs are available in four colourways: Chilli Red as shown above, as well as Tropical Orange, Sky Blue Pink and Turquoise and Lime, printed in the UK onto a light crepe de chine at 134 cm square with hand-finished hand rolled edges.  Bold statements for this summer.