It was an exciting moment for fashion in Singapore. After its debut in New York, the UBS House of Craft x Dior made its Asian premiere here, with Singapore unveiling its own unique iteration of the exhibition. This edition included special elements that traced how the iconic designer Christian Dior once drew inspiration from our shores. The launch was marked by an exclusive vernissage on 18 November, held at the New Art Museum at Tanjong Pagar Distripark.
“Visitors can expect an immersive journey through eight decades of Dior’s creative evolution, presented through the lens of photographer Brigitte Niedermair and curated by Carine Roitfeld. Complementing the fashion and photography exhibition, the event features public panels, workshops, and live craft demonstrations, giving visitors rare access to artisans from Dior Atelier. These encounters allow participants to hear directly from revered masters of craft, gaining a deeper appreciation of the skill behind couture and how craftsmanship endures alongside evolving creativity,” shared Jin Yee Young Co-Head UBS Global Wealth Management Asia Pacific and Country Head UBS Singapore, ahead of the exhibition.
Guests—including Club Vogue members, Vogue Singapore partners and VIPs—took pictures at the event’s photo wall before stepping into an exclusive preview of the exhibition. Inside, they embarked on a curated journey through Christian Dior’s lasting influence, tracing the visions of the maison’s creative directors—Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons, Maria Grazia Chiuri, and Kim Jones—through iconic pieces such as the Bar jacket from the spring/summer 1947 haute couture collection and a Opéra Bouffe short evening dress in pink faille from Dior’s fall/winter 1956 collection.
As for what made the Singapore iteration special? This edition featured an homage to Dior himself, realised as a dedicated section offering an intimate glimpse into his world through sketches and creative artefacts. It also unveiled a photo series of five new works by Niedermair shown exclusively here. From there, guests wandered towards artisans from the Dior Ateliers, who demonstrated the techniques and crafts that have defined the maison for generations.
The exhibition was a striking reminder of the role fashion, art and beauty play in Singapore—and how this creative spirit can be further nurtured. The following day, students from NAFA and LASALLE College of the Arts were treated to a private tour of the exhibition by Niedermair and Roitfeld, following a panel with Vogue Singapore where they discussed image-making, curation, and taking the first steps in fashion. The future certainly looks bright.
