This spring, the country’s leading fashionistas will flock to Melbourne to experience the never-before-seen The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Coutureexhibition at the National Gallery Victoria’s (NGV).
In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the House of Dior, Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, NGV’s Official Accommodation Partner, will serve a series of couture cocktails created by master mixologist and Atrium Bar Manager, Marc Dasan.
Each of the four Code of Conduct cocktails highlight a signature design code synonymous with the House of Dior;
THE PARFUM
The Code – For Christian Dior a couture dress was unimaginable without the finishing touch of femininity – fragrance. This passion was embodied by his first collection in 1947, when his ‘New Look’ was unveiled alongside his first parfum, the iconic Miss Dior.
The Cocktail – Remy Martin VSOP, Tanqueray Gin, Earl Grey syrup and dash of Pernod and grapefruit bitters served in a glass perfume bottle with a smoked fumed glass.
‘Inspired by the original Miss Dior Eau De, we have created a frozen perfume bottle made entirely of ice to hold our signature Parfume cocktail. Composed of bold floral based notes, this concoction is a showstopper.’ – Marc Dasan
THE 18th CENTURY
The Code – Christian Dior was very engaged with French history. He and Dior’s successive designers took inspiration from the 18th Century’s exaggerated silhouettes, architecture, decorative arts, the gardens of Palace of Versailles and embroidered silks of the time.
The Cocktail – Kettle One Vodka, Crème de Cassis, Crème de Mure and lime juice with white chocolate and pineapple foam, garnished with Persian saffron fairy floss.
‘The deep red colouring with gold accents resembles the opulence of the 18th century, whilst the fairy floss pays homage to Marie Antoinette’s most famous hairstyle – the pouf.’ – Marc Dasan
THE LINE
The Code – With collections spanning 1947-1957, Christian Dior developed a series of distinct lines that informed the silhouette of his designs. The Zig-Zag, Tulip, Oblique, H and Y lines are just a few of his defining shapes.
The Cocktail – Spiced Rum, Pedro Ximenez, Mozart Dark and garnished with fresh fig.
‘The sharp lines of the martini glass paired with the soft curve of the fig gives the cocktail a signature silhouette.’ – Marc Dasan
THE FLOWER
The Code – Christian Dior used the flower as an inspiration to structure his garments and as a motif to embellish fabrics with rich detail and patterns. His love of gardens and flowers stemmed from many happy hours spent as a child in the walled gardens of his family’s home in Granville.
The Cocktail – Grey Goose Le Citron, Lillet Blanc, Crème de Violette and Rosewater infused ice sphere with a frozen pink rose.
‘The frozen rose sphere acts as the standout embellishment as well as the motif for the sweet and citric flavours that are released as the rosewater ice melts into the cocktail.’ – Marc Dasan
Sofitel’s Atrium Bar will serve the signature Code of Conduct Cocktails Thursday – Saturday from 1 September until 4 November 2017, coinciding with NGV’s The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture exhibition.
Friends of Sofitel Melbourne on Collins are invited to head to the hotel’s Instagram page @SofitelMelbourneOnCollins on 14 August to access an exclusive giveaway to experience the exhibition and the hotel in VIP style.
SO CULTURAL ACCOMMODATION OFFER
Visitors travelling to Melbourne to see the House of Dior exhibition can book Sofitel Melbourne On Collins’ So Cultural package which includes overnight accommodation and breakfast for two at No.35 Restaurant, plus two tickets to NGV’s The House of Dior exhibition.
