In an unprecedented collaboration, the Dior Gallery and the Alaïa Foundation are joining forces for a remarkable double exhibition that explores a unique fashion legacy connecting two iconic houses of haute couture.

The story begins in 1957, when a young Azzedine Alaïa, then in his twenties, was hired at Dior just months before founder Christian Dior's death. Though his employment lasted only a few days, the Tunisian designer, fresh to the French capital, absorbed invaluable experience from the legendary fashion house's ateliers. This brief but formative period inspired Alaïa as he developed his craft, learning from the great couture houses of the era and perfecting the construction techniques that would later define his work. He would go on to become a true architect of fashion, sculpting women's bodies like no other designer.

Throughout his career, Alaïa proved to be a passionate and discerning collector, quietly amassing thousands of pieces over his lifetime. Among his extensive collection were 600 items from Dior, including silhouettes created not only by Christian Dior himself but also by his successors Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, and John Galliano. This exceptional archive represents decades of fashion history and artistic evolution.

Recognizing the extraordinary value of this heritage, the Dior Gallery and the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation have conceived an innovative dual exhibition, with each institution offering its unique perspective on this remarkable collection. Starting November 20 and running through May 3, 2026, the Dior Gallery, located steps away from Avenue Montaigne, will present "Azzedine Alaïa's Dior Collection." This exhibition will showcase approximately 100 carefully selected Dior creations from the late designer's personal archives, who passed away in 2017.

Concurrently, from December 1 through early May, the Alaïa Foundation in Paris's 4th arrondissement will unveil "Azzedine Alaïa and Christian Dior: Two Masters of Couture." This complementary exhibition will feature 30 Dior pieces from Alaïa's collection displayed alongside a similar number of his own iconic silhouettes. The exhibition aims to illuminate how Alaïa was influenced by his peers while demonstrating the impact of these inspirations on his own work, similar to his collaborative presentation with Thierry Mugler.

"Christian Dior's designs bear witness to the relentless quest to which Azzedine Alaïa had devoted himself tirelessly," explained Olivier Saillard, director of the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation. "In search of the mysteries of dresses and the delicate structures that make ethereal petticoats stand upright, he skillfully assembled the objects of his adolescent dreams."

This dual perspective, offered by two major fashion institutions, promises to bring to life a shared history across two Parisian locations, celebrating the enduring influence and interconnected legacy of these masters of haute couture.