CURATOR’S INSIGHTS - DIOR IN THE NGV COLLECTION
SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2026
12:00PM – 12:30PM
TALK
Celebrating a curated selection of NGV Collection works by the House of Dior currently on display at NGV International, NGV Senior Curator of Fashion and Textiles, Katie Somerville, takes us on a tour of twentieth century fashion history.
From the era-defining early designs of Christian Dior himself to the creative vision of Yves Saint Laurent, theatrically of John Galliano and modernity of Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri, we will explore the key moments in Dior’s history that have made it one of the most influential couture houses of the twentieth century.
About the speaker:
Katie Somerville is the Senior Curator of Fashion and Textiles at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). Katie has worked with a range of fashion and textiles collections for three decades, including at the National Gallery of Australia and Historic Houses Trust of NSW.
She joined the curatorial department at the NGV in 1995, working across both the Australian and International collection. She currently manages the research and development of the Fashion and Textiles collection and the Campbell-Pretty Fashion Research Collection along with the ongoing program of publications and exhibitions for the Fashion and Textiles Department.
During her time at the NGV Katie has curated and co-curated numerous exhibitions including: Westwood | Kawakubo (2025), Martin Grant (2025), Alexander McQueen, Mind, Mythos, Muse (2022) presented in partnership with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture (2017), Making the Australian Quilt:1800-1950 (2016), Express Yourself: Romance Was Born for Kids (2014), Melbourne Now (2013), ManStyle: Men + Fashion (2011), Together Alone: Australian and New Zealand Fashion (2009), and Akira Isogawa: Printemps-Été (2004).
NGV International, Level 3, 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
Free to attend. No booking required.
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For information about how the Gallery can support your access requirements, contact our team.
03 8620 2222
9am–5pm, daily -
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the oldest and most visited gallery in Australia. Situated over two magnificent buildings – NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia – the Gallery hosts a wide range of international and local artists, exhibitions, programs and events; from contemporary art to major international historic exhibitions, fashion and design, architecture, sound and dance.
Founded in 1861, today the NGV holds the most significant collection of art in the region; a vast treasury of more than 76,000 works that span thousands of years and a wealth of ideas, disciplines and styles. It is a collection that is yours, and it’s free! We warmly welcome you to share in these riches and the many activities, exhibitions and events developed at the NGV for us all to enjoy.
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For more information, please contact the event organiser:
The National Gallery of Victoria https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/contact-us
03 8620 2222