Dior celebrates grand opening in Waikiki

Nadine Kam photos
Designs from Dior's Cruise 2014 collection were on view during the opening of the house's new Waikiki boutique.

Christian Dior Couture hosted a party to celebrate the grand opening of the new Dior boutique at T Galleria by DFS on Jan. 30.

The store design reflects Dior’s flagship boutique on 30 avenue Montaigne in Paris, where house founder Dior first showed his revelatory "New Look" couture collections in 1947.

Guests sipped champagne and enjoyed pupu from chef Chai Chaowasaree while eying Dior’s Cruise 2014 collection, which debuted in Monte Carlo at the invitation of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco.

I arrived at the store late from a dinner party hosted by Ben Bridge and Patek Philippe. By then, all the guests, save for Crystal Pancipanci whose car was lost, had left. Seeing some of the accessories and artwork on display brought back memories of being able to see the fabulous "Esprit Dior" show at the MoCa Shanghai last fall, showing the lineage and evolution of the brand over 60 years.

Here's my post from the exhibition: http://fashiontribe.staradvertiserblogs.com/2013/09/28/moca-shanghai-celebrates-esprit-dior/

Men will get equal time later this spring, when a Dior Homme boutique is also set to open in Waikiki.
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The Dior boutique is at 2200 Kalakaua Ave.

Dior's Cruise 2014 collection, designed by Raf Simons was inspired by the waters of the Mediterannean, a playy of transparency, layers and the notion of energy. It also marked the minimalist designer's first-time foray into incorporating lace.

Wall of handbags.

 Pointed sandal in black-and-white snakeskin.

Spray-painted rounded pump.