When the Lady Dior art project was launched, an extraordinary forum for the fusion of fashion and art was created - a tribute to the creative souls of today.

The Lady Dior Art Project began in 2016, when Dior decided to transform its timeless classic, the Lady Dior handbag, into the medium of art. Selected artists were given the honorable task of transforming this canvas-like accessory into an individual work of art that would reflect the unmistakable characteristics of the Bag while at the same time opening up new aesthetic dimensions.

With this project, Dior created a stage for visionary talents from all over the world to express their interpretation of Dior's iconography. Artists such as Mat Collishaw, Ian Davenport and Chris Martin have already immortalized themselves on the international stage of the project. Their creations are a lively dialog between their own artistic identity and Dior's heritage, elevating the handbag into a reference field of transcendent meanings. Each year the project grows, and with it the honor of being counted among the legendary line of Lady Dior creators.

In 2016, the Lady Dior Art Project was launched, a pioneering work that fuses design with fine art. Selected artists reinterpret the classic bag while preserving its essence.

The project crystallizes Dior's philosophy: innovation paired with the preservation of tradition. It thus represents a sophisticated dialog between past and present, craftsmanship and creativity.

The transformation of Lady Dior into an artistic object is an expression of a broad, dynamic creative spectrum. Artists are reinterpreting the iconic shape, which is the Bag in a pragmatic and aesthetic context.

The initial collaborations of the Lady Dior art project were characterized by extraordinary diversity and creativity. They impressively illustrated the synthesis of fashion and art.

The year 2017 marked a significant start, when renowned artists such as Friedrich Kunath, Namsa Leuba and Mat Collishaw were invited to share their perspectives on the emblematic Bag to project their views onto the emblematic. Their works demonstrated not only artistic ingenuity, but also a deep rootedness in Dior's haute couture background. Each artist brought a distinctive touch that reflected both the iconic silhouette and their own artistic philosophy.

Friedrich Kunath, for example, interpreted the model with a poetic sensibility that characterizes his work. His version of Lady Dior radiated a dreamlike quality and invited the viewer to immerse themselves in a world of playful irony and melancholic lyricism. This underlined the versatility of the Bag to become a carrier of individual artistic expressiveness.

In parallel, Namsa Leuba created a version inspired by her African heritage and incorporating Western influences. Her interpretation added a dimension of visual fascination to the classic design and thus brought about a subtle transformation of the object. This clearly illustrated how the integration of intercultural perspectives opened up new aesthetic horizons within the Lady Dior art project.

The genesis of the Lady Dior art project dates back to 2016, when the Maison Dior decided to reinterpret the iconic handbag through the lenses of outstanding artists. Names like Mat Collishaw, Ian Davenport and Marc Quinn enriched the project with individual perspectives that emphasize the interplay between fashion and art. Collishaw's version of Lady Dior manifested itself in an optical illusion of flowing shapes and colors, while Davenport used methodically applied streaks of color to create the Bag into a dynamic work of art. Quinn, on the other hand, used botanical motifs to embody the beauty of nature and its transience. These syntheses of traditional craftsmanship and visionary art make the Lady Dior more than just an accessory - it becomes a testament to artistic collaboration and innovation.

The Lady Dior embodies a symbiosis of exquisite craftsmanship and unbridled creativity. It is not just a fashion accessory, it is a canvas for visionary artists who are inspired by different disciplines and cultures and leave their own unmistakable signature.

Each creation is unique, a bridge between traditional craftsmanship and modern art.

In the process, the artists involved give the iconic handbag new dimensions and expressive strengths, which are reflected in the characteristic features (cannage quilting, Dior CharmTag) and transform them at the same time.

The dialog between the artists and Dior's artisans fosters an extraordinary precision and depth of detail. What emerges is an interplay of texture, shape and color, making the handbag a unique experience of elegance and artistic freedom.

The previous collaborations impressively demonstrate the unlimited possibilities when fashion meets art. They showcase not only the finesse of manufacturing, but also the transformative power of artistic vision, taking Lady Dior to ever new heights.

Ultimately, the artists act as a medium through which Dior's legacy is reinterpreted. Their works function as powerful statements that are both contemporary and create a deeper resonance with the brand's rich history.

The Lady Dior has been reinvented in many ways.

The initiative was first launched in 2016 and has gained momentum every year since. Artists such as Mat Collishaw, Ian Davenport, Daniel Gordon, Chris Martin and Jia Lee have put their extraordinary talents at the service of this art series by creating individual works of art that reinterpret the iconic Bag in a completely new context. Impressively, these pieces embody the fusion of craftsmanship and visionary art.

It is an incomparable artisan masterpiece.

The artists bring in an unexpected dimension - whether through unusual choice of materials, bold color compositions or through complex structures. Their works are an expression of their personal signature and innovative creative power - a visual feast that transcends the boundaries of conventional aesthetics.

Each year, the circle of participating artists expands internationally and interdisciplinarily, deliberately creating a balance between renowned artists and emerging talents. The 2023 edition promises to build on this richness, continuing to pioneer innovative designs and exploring the facets of Lady Dior.

The curation of the Lady Dior Art Project reflects a pantheon of creatives ranging from established contemporary figures to avant-garde new discoveries. Names like Olafur Eliassonwhose multifaceted light art transformed Lady Dior into an oscillating sculpture, or David Wiseman, whose filigree interpretations of nature transformed the Bag into a botanical event, demonstrate the high standard of the project.

Increasingly, visionary talents such as Lee Bul or Matthew Porter are also finding recognition within this unique art project, creating worlds between fashion and art with their ideas. They all share the privilege of using Lady Dior as a canvas for their inspired visions and see this creative process as a dialog that challenges and expands the boundaries of their own work.

The beginnings of the Lady Dior art project are closely linked to innovative visionaries whose work has inspired the aesthetic of the iconic Bag and bridged the gap between fashion and fine art. These creative pioneers took up the challenge of transforming Lady Dior's signature canage stitching and architectural shapes into unique works of art, paving the way for generations of artists to follow.

Marian Bantjes, known for her ornamental designs, was one of the first to apply her artistic signature to the Lady Dior. Her interpretation was characterized by filigree patterns and a precise attention to detail that made the Bag into a visual poem. The pioneering work of these artists formed the foundation for the continuous transformation of the art project, which constantly intertwines fashion and art in a dialog.

Chris Martin is also one of the pioneering designers of the project. His abstract, expressive painting, which unfolded on a Lady Dior, offered a refreshing contrast to the otherwise classic and structured designs of the bag collection.

Other important contributors, such as the French artist Jean-François Fourtou, created metaphorical reflections of their own biographies with their works. Fourtou's playful approach to form and space, as well as his resulting creations, expanded the dimensions of Lady Dior and offered viewers new perspectives on the luxurious accessory.

In the course of this artistic process, the selected works established themselves as essential sources of inspiration for the future development of Dior. Each individual design contributed to establishing the Lady Dior not only as a fashion statement, but also as a manifestation of contemporary art.

By pushing the traditional boundaries of art and manifesting their creative spirit in this way, the artists of the Lady Dior Art Project have left an indelible mark on the world of haute couture. They reflect the philosophy of a brand that constantly strives for innovation and finds consistency in change.

The Lady Dior Art Project brings together world-class visionary artists with outstanding new discoveries.

• Mickalene Thomas - Her works vividly reflect the strength of female identity.
• Ibrahim Mahama - His creations address complex historical and political statements.
• Li Shurui - She deconstructs Lady Dior with light-flooded works of art Bag.
• Chris Martin - His abstract compositions inspire with energetic coloration.
• Jia Lee - Minimalist aesthetics meet profound narrative structures in her work.
• Frieda Gormley and Javvy M Royle from House of Hackney - Merging traditional printing techniques with modern art.

Each artist brings their unique aesthetic and philosophy to the design of Lady Dior.

This symbiosis of fresh and established talent ensures the constant evolution and relevance of the collection.

The iconic Lady Dior design serves as a timeless canvas for creative expression, whose boundaries are defined only by the horizon of art itself. This manifests itself in a symbiotic relationship where design, craftsmanship and artistic freedom merge to bring forth new interpretations and meanings.

Within the framework of the Lady Dior Art Project, artists such as Olafur Eliasson , Mat Collishaw or Polly Apfelbaum add their individual touch to the classic and create unique works of art. The Bag becomes a projection surface for concepts ranging from social issues to personal stories, reflecting the diversity and depth of contemporary art.

This collaboration gives the Lady Dior a multi-dimensionality and makes a statement beyond its mere function as an accessory. Each artist's interpretation contributes to the heightened perception of the Bag as an object with inherent cultural significance.

The spectrum of creativity is broad here.

Myriad techniques and materials come together. This coming together of different artistic disciplines enables an extraordinary variation of handbags that go far beyond the conventional understanding of fashion accessories. Mixed-media installations, abstract paintings or sculptural works transform the icon into a manifesto of creativity. In this way, bags not only become carriers of everyday objects, but also ambassadors of a unique aesthetic dialog.

A symphony of colors and shapes resounds.

In this field, experimental approaches are not the exception but the rule - they define the framework of the project. Visionary talents such as Marc Quinn and Morgane Tschiember take design into bold, unexplored territories by imprinting an individual signature on their work. They impressively illustrate how artistic creation can sharpen the profile of a brand.

The artists set new standards in terms of design originality. Through their contributions, a multifaceted history develops whose chapter continues to be written with each new edition. One example of this is the Australian artist Polly Borland whose visionary approach has enriched the Lady Dior 2023 collection with multi-faceted textures and narrative depth. These diversified approaches reflect the ongoing evolution and relevance of the art project today.

The appeal of the Lady Dior Art Project transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. It manifests itself in globally networked exhibitions, embodying the universal spirit of creative collaboration.

Internationally renowned artists such as Olga de Amaral from Colombia, Lee Bul from South Korea or David Wiseman from the USA have turned the project into a veritable pantheon of artistic expression. Their individual interpretations of Lady Dior Bag are testimony to a global creative synergy. This synergy enables intercultural dialogs and ensures a broad resonance in the sphere of fashion and art.

The project also forms a bridge between traditional craftsmanship and modern art. Many of the participating artists use craft techniques that are deeply rooted in their countries. The combination with contemporary art results in works of rare and impressive quality.

Last but not least, the Lady Dior Art Project provides a platform for female artists. Creatives such as Mickalene Thomas and Janaina Tschäpe give their Lady Dior works a voice that addresses and reflects social issues. In this way, the project not only makes a contribution to the art world, but also promotes discourse on gender and inclusivity in a social context.