Prepare to come, see, and be awed at “UBS House of Craft x Dior”. Happening at New Art Museum Singapore from 21 to 23 November, this is the exhibition’s first stop in Asia and second after a successful New York premiere. Admission is free but registration is required.
Curated by Carine Roitfeld (CR Fashion Book ed-in-chief), it chronicles the evolution of couture through the legacy and artistry of Dior, and pays homage to designs by seven artistic directors such as Yves Saint Laurent, Gianfranco Ferré, and Maria Grazia Chiuri. The exhibition also features new works by photographer Brigitte Niedermair, a long-time collaborator of both Roitfeld and Dior.
The exhibition is part of the UBS House of Craft initiative, which celebrates excellence in craft across disciplines ranging from horology to gastronomy. It aims to foster meaningful exchange through exclusive opportunities such as masterclasses, behind-the-scenes experiences, and exhibitions.
Jin Yee Young, Co-Head, UBS Global Wealth Management Asia Pacific, and Country Head, UBS Singapore, says, “Singapore’s intersection of heritage and innovation provides a distinctive backdrop for celebrating craftsmanship at the highest level, sparking dialogue and discovery. We are delighted to partner with Dior and Carine Roitfeld to present the expanded exhibition, paying homage to the heritage of Dior and UBS as well as showcasing the precision, dedication, and artistry that define our own craft.”
Other programmes at “UBS House of Craft x Dior” include live craft demonstrations, as well as talks on topics ranging from contemporary culture to storytelling.
What challenges did you face while working on this exhibition?
Carine Roitfeld (CR) The Dior archive spans 80 years, so there is a tremendous amount to work with. Take Marc Bohan, for example. He led the House for 28 years, and narrowing his work down to just a few key silhouettes was no small task. At the same time, it was a real privilege. The process was incredibly rewarding, giving me a chance to rediscover Dior’s legacy through some of its most iconic creations.
Another challenge was finding the right balance between reverence for the past and relevance to the present. I didn’t want the looks to feel too retro but rather to maintain the desire to wear them today. Sometimes that meant rethinking the styling, adjusting a jacket, refreshing the makeup, or modernising the hair to bring the look to life. I felt it was about respecting the dress, honouring the craftsmanship, and giving it a sense of modernity.
Brigitte Niedermair (BN) I’ve collaborated with the House for many years, so I understood the weight of what we were undertaking. The selection process of the archival masterpieces was immense as gathering all these pieces in one place required tremendous logistical effort.
What became clear during the process is that these garments are not static artefacts. They speak to one another across decades, creating a conversation between different designers, different eras, and always, with the enduring vision of Monsieur Dior himself. His presence is still palpable. As the founder of Dior’s iconic identity, he established a brand so powerful that even decades later, we feel the weight of his legacy in every piece.
My task, in collaboration with Carine, who curated the exhibition, was to capture this ongoing dialogue and give these exceptional pieces a modern edge through the camera’s lens. The process was challenging, but the result was beautiful, capturing the timeless genius and contemporary relevance of the House.
What new discovery did you make about Dior?
CR Walking into the Dior archives for the first time was an incredible experience, almost like stepping into a living museum. I learned so many surprising things, for example, that Gianfranco Ferré designed the Lady Dior bag. It also gave me a clearer sense of the House’s full timeline and how each era has shaped Dior’s identity today. Dior’s history feels like a continuous story of evolution and reinvention, with each designer respecting Monsieur Dior’s vision while adding their own voice.
I wanted the exhibition to capture that ongoing conversation, so we played with unexpected pairings, like placing an archival Christian Dior jacket over a John Galliano gown, to show how different designers have reinterpreted the House’s codes of femininity, elegance, and structure while keeping its timeless identity and commitment to craftsmanship alive.
BN Working on this exhibition allowed me to trace the evolution of Dior. I could see the trajectory from the theatrical grandeur of John Galliano to the minimalist elegance of Raf Simons, and how each creative director brought a unique lens to the House’s identity. In the creative process, I focused on preserving tradition while exploring new ways to reinterpret iconic pieces. Working closely with Carine, we reimagined these garments to highlight both their historical significance and their enduring relevance.
How do you want others to perceive the evolution of your work through this project?
CR It’s hard to give me a single title because I’m not just a stylist, editor, or curator. I exist somewhere between all these worlds. In many ways, curating “UBS House of Craft x Dior” feels like putting together a magazine issue, where storytelling is everything. That mirrors my own work. In fashion, we really don’t have days off. From my editorial projects to CR Fashion Book and even my perfumes, my journey has always been about constantly learning and exploring new ideas. I am proud that the exhibition reflects that same spirit of innovation and continuous evolution.
BN For me, this project is a love letter to analogue photography. Shooting with a 4×5-inch camera allowed me to achieve a nearly 3D quality, giving the images depth and presence. Over the years, my work has always been about slowing down and capturing the essence of a moment, and that approach was essential for this exhibition. Surrounded by iconic garments, Carine and I were mesmerised by their beauty, yet focused on modernising them while preserving their timelessness. I hope visitors see how my work continues to honour tradition while exploring new ways to bring fashion to life.
Singapore marks the exhibition’s Asian premiere, which also features two designs—Singapour (1957) and Nuit de Singapour (1960). What do you hope people take away?
CR I hope people leave with an understanding that behind every beautiful piece, there is an imaginative mind, a vision, a story, and a life dedicated to the craft of creating these haute couture works. When visitors take the time to understand each designer’s inspiration, their mood boards, their references, and the world they were trying to create, fashion begins to reveal itself not as objects to consume but as expressions of human creativity and care. That connection between the person and the craft, between vision and execution, is what makes couture creations meaningful. It is what gives it lasting value.
BN I hope visitors leave with a renewed understanding that couture is not just about luxury, but about human craftsmanship, emotion, and history. The exhibition offers a rare, intimate look behind-the-scenes of Dior’s history and archive. Stepping into the world of the House, visitors can experience Christian Dior’s creative legacy across decades and see how each generation of designers has contributed to it.
In the fashion world today, there is often confusion about what is truly handmade and what is produced industrially. This exhibition invites visitors to slow down and appreciate the dedication, artistry, and precision that define haute couture. Above all, I hope they experience it as an intimate journey through Dior’s legacy and a celebration of craftsmanship at the highest level.
If you could travel back in time, what question would you ask Monsieur Dior?
CR I’d ask him how he approached his craft. I think one of the most difficult things in couture is creating a simple dress because it has to be flawless, yet all his creations always feel emblematic of the House of Dior. There was a dress of his adorned with tiny flowers, called Miss Dior. The way it was made was incredible, and it remains beautiful even today. He had a clear vision for how to dress a woman, and he clearly drew inspiration from his love of gardens and roses. I’ve read that he had a little house on the coast surrounded by roses, and you can see that love reflected in his designs.
BN I think it would be fascinating to understand how he approached creating his vision of the House, and how he balanced precision, innovation, and enduring elegance. For me, Christian Dior’s legacy is larger than any one designer. Each creative director adds their own voice, but the foundation he set continues to guide everything. I feel a personal connection to that energy, and I always try to carry it into my work and every image I create.
