As the nights draw in, we could all do with a bit of festive cheer. And what better way is there to get into the holiday spirit than going to see a Christmas light display in London? Not one to shy away from making a statement, Dior has transformed Harrods into a giant glittering gingerbread house – yes, it’s as wonderfully over-the-top as it sounds.
Paying homage to Christian Dior’s lifelong love affair with Britain, the French fashion house chose the iconic London department store as the setting for its ‘The Fabulous World of Dior’ light display and exhibition.
Dior has taken over the entire façade of the Brompton Road landmark until early January, illuminating Harrod’s 44 windows with a spectacular light display that includes a twinkling ship, 55-ft Shepherd’s Star, Christmas trees and flowers interpreted by artist Pietro Ruffo for the Dior Cruise 2023 collection.
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Inside, Dior is hosting two pop-up stores selling limited-edition gifts for the festive season. Perhaps most exciting of all, however, is the exhibition in the basement.
Here, the architecture of iconic Dior locations including Granville (Christian Dior’s seaside childhood home in Normandy), La Colle Noire (the legendary designer’s chateau on the border of Alpes-Maritime and the Var region) and 30 Montaigne (Dior’s Parisian flagship store) are reimagined as gingerbread models.
Also on display are iced-biscuit creations of famous Dior pieces from the Bar jacket to the Lady Dior bag and J’Adore perfume.
The French fashion house is also launching the Café Dior at Harrods – an opulent, golden-hued eatery where diners can enjoy delicious gingerbread cookies and an array of dishes inspired by Christian Dior’s life.
Highlights from the menu include salmon and langoustine ravioli with a caviar sauce; Atlantic lobster thermidor drizzled with a yuzu vinaigrette; and a creamy roasted chestnut velouté scattered with winter chanterelles.
Dior’s Christmas takeover at Harrod’s kicked off with a lavish opening ceremony. British tennis star Emma Raducanu was there to switch on the lights and a slew of famous faces made an appearance including Eddie Redmayne, Anna Taylor-Joy and Erin O’Connor.
Dior’s festive takeover at Harrods runs until January 3 2023.
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