Cover Hilary Pecis’s take on Lady Dior is a reimagination of a gardenscape
Hilary Pecis’s take on Lady Dior is a reimagination of a gardenscape
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In the eighth edition of the Dior Lady Art initiative, 12 artists from across the globe turn the maison’s iconic bag into objets d’art. Among them is figurative painter Hilary Pecis, whose beaded iteration is a gardenscape inspired by her childhood
When it comes to timeless fashion artefacts, few hold the distinction of Dior’s iconic bag, Lady Dior. Its debut is the stuff of legends: in 1995, during the opening of French artist Paul Cézanne’s retrospective in the Grand Palais in Paris, Bernadette Chirac, the then‐first lady of France, presented Princess Diana a unique Dior bag. At the time, it was known as the Chouchou and was accessible to only a select few.
Later that same year, during an official visit to Argentina, the then‐Princess of Wales was photographed disembarking from a plane in Buenos Aires and clutching a black patent leather iteration of the bag. Sartorial history was made. The accessory became her go‐to bag and synonymous with her style. In 1996, it was officially christened Lady Dior, as a tribute to Princess Diana’s influence.
Today, Lady Dior continues to stand as a loyal symbol of the enduring legacy of both the house and Monsieur Christian Dior. Its boxy and structured silhouette, along with the signature Cannage topstitching, pays homage to the Napoleon‐era chairs found in the maison’s couture salon, while the charms that adorn the rounded top handles, which come in gold or silver and spell out the name “Dior”, nod to the lucky charms cherished by Monsieur Dior himself.
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Above American artist Hilary Pecis’s spin on Lady Dior is a heavily beaded interpretation of a lush gardenscape
American artist Hilary Pecis’s spin on Lady Dior is a heavily beaded interpretation of a lush gardenscape
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Among the numerous iterations of Lady Dior over the decades, the artistic interpretations from the Dior Lady Art initiative are by far the most inventive. Inaugurated in 2016 by the maison’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, the annual project is an homage to the house’s deep‐rooted connection with the art world as well as its dedication to artistry and cultural appreciation.
Every year, the maison invites artists from across the globe to transform the bag into a collectible work of art. From painters to sculptors and designers, they are granted carte blanche to reimagine Lady Dior through the lens of their artistic vision. The unmatched savoir faire and virtuoso techniques of the house’s haute couture ateliers are at their disposal, resulting in one‐of‐a‐kind masterpieces.
Now in its eighth edition, the initiative welcomes 12 artists from various corners of the world, including China, Japan, the UK and the US. Among them is Hilary Pecis, an American figurative painter known for her vibrant still life and landscape depictions. Based in Los Angeles, the artist is also the co‐founder of Binder of Women, an independent platform supporting contemporary female artists.
Above Pecis’s works incorporate landscapes and still life
Pecis’s works incorporate landscapes and still life
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Pecis creates vibrant paintings and drawings characterised by vivid colours, geometric patterns and bold linework. Her work captures domestic scenes and landscapes, often with a twist of distorted perspectives and unexpected colour combinations. She draws inspiration from her personal experiences, using familiar scenes to craft vivid explorations that celebrate the ordinary yet poignant moments of daily life.
Her works have garnered acclaim, earning her solo exhibitions at prestigious venues such as the Rockefeller Center in New York and Spurs Gallery in Beijing. Her art has also found permanent homes in renowned institutions, including the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, and the Yuz Museum in Shanghai.
Above American artist Hilary Pecis’s spin on Lady Dior is a heavily beaded interpretation of a lush gardenscape
American artist Hilary Pecis’s spin on Lady Dior is a heavily beaded interpretation of a lush gardenscape
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Having seen Dior’s previous collaborations with other artists, Pecis eagerly anticipated the opportunity to work with the maison. Referring to the bag’s appeal, Pecis notes: “There’s a classic silhouette, with a beautiful structure and unmistakable craftsmanship. I love the way that it can be interpreted and yet maintain the quintessential symbol of design.”
In crafting her unique version of Lady Dior, Pecis drew inspiration from her childhood recollections. “I was inspired by the costume jewellery and handicrafts in my grandmother’s jewellery box that I played with as a child,” she shares. She crafted a painting depicting a lush landscape of lily pads and water lilies, saturated in vibrant hues, against a vivid green backdrop.
“I wanted to take advantage of [the Dior] craftspeople’s incredible skills to interpret [my] painting ... I wanted to layer the beads and sequins on the purse, reminiscent of the layering of paint on my painting,” she says.
Above Dior’s skilled ateliers bring Pecis’s vision to life with embroidery and beadwork
Dior’s skilled ateliers bring Pecis’s vision to life with embroidery and beadwork
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Describing her vision for the bag, Pecis expresses: “I wanted the bag to be decorative, appealing to my inner child who loved all of my grandmother’s wonderfully sequinned and beaded purses. The materials are a blend of beads, stones, sequins and threads, interpreting the painting of lily pads and water lilies.”
The skilled artisans at Dior’s ateliers expertly transformed her painting into a three‐dimensional masterpiece, weaving on beads, stones and sequins to fashion a textured garden with embroidered water lilies and lily pads as well as golden metal jewels. In this reimagination of Lady Dior, the iconic round handles and the signature letter “O” charm have been transformed into wavy iterations. Fascinated by the artisans’ exceptional skills, Pecis remarks: “I’m amazed at the level of craftsmanship that the Dior embroiderers and artisans bring to so many of the [house’s] garments and accessories.”
Above Putting the finishing touches on Pecis’s Lady Dior
Putting the finishing touches on Pecis’s Lady Dior
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Pecis, who sees the Dior Lady Art initiative as “a call to celebrate art in all its forms” and a chance to experiment with other mediums, further shares that it was “such an incredible opportunity for me to think outside the boundaries of the two‐dimensional plane and with the use of other materials. Since my project was accepted, I’ve continued to think about the way materials play a part in my paintings.”
At this juncture, Lady Dior, a symbol of perpetual reinvention, is embarking on another remarkable transformation by a cadre of contemporary artists who push the boundaries of imagination and craftsmanship to new heights. In total, 31 bags from the eighth edition of Dior Lady Art will be unveiled. Pecis’s iteration, along with those of three other US‐based artists, will be pre‐launched at the Dior store in the Miami Design District before Art Basel Miami Beach this month, while all bags are scheduled to officially debut globally in January 2024, and will be available in Singapore boutiques.
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Credits
Photography: Andrea Cenetiempo; Harry Eelman
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Nafeesa Saini is the Features Editor at Tatler Singapore, where she shapes long-form stories on culture, business, philanthropy, wellness, and the people driving change in Asia. With a deep interest in storytelling that intersects meaningfully with identity and impact, she has profiled a diverse range of visionaries, from scientific pioneers in AI and health to creative trailblazers and literary minds.
Nafeesa’s writing includes cover stories and profiles that spotlight influential voices, alongside commentary on the trends reshaping our world.
Off the clock, Nafeesa unwinds with fiction, a good thrift hunt, and ‘brainrot’ TikTok scroll—while always keeping one eye on her next cultural getaway, usually to Indonesia.
