The NGV announced today Grammy Award-winning musician and style icon Kimbra will perform at the inaugural NGV Gala, a special black-tie evening featuring art, fashion, music, fine wine and food, where visitors will enjoy exclusive first access to world premiere exhibition The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture, on Saturday 26 August 2017 at NGV International.
For what promises to be a highlight event on Melbourne’s event calendar, the NGV has engaged internationally acclaimed Australian-born chef James Henry (best known for his celebrated Paris restaurant Bones and his latest venture Belon in Soho, Hong Kong) to create an exquisite canapé menu.
Conceptually curated by NGV Gala co-chairs Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV and Edwina McCann, Editor, Vogue Australia, guests will experience the NGV as it’s never-been-seen before with visually stunning installations and experiential zones throughout the gallery. Especially designed for the inaugural NGV Gala, celebrated florist Flowers Vasette will create extraordinary, large-scale and eye-catching floral installations, captivating guests’ imaginations upon entry as they arrive on the David Jones red carpet.
‘The NGV is delighted to announce Kimbra as the headline performer for the first NGV Gala, in celebration of the opening of The House of Dior, an NGV-curated exhibition of one of the most revolutionary fashion houses in the history of couture. We expect Melbourne’s best dressed to attend this inaugural, special event,’ said Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV.
Throughout the evening guests will be treated to the fine champagne of Moët & Chandon, fine wines by leading Victorian winemaker Yering Station and a whisky lounge curated by award-winning local Melbourne whisky distillers Starward featuring bespoke cocktails.
The night will see a live DJ set by Australian electronic dance music duo Yolanda Be Cool, known for their memorable upbeat house music and their breakthrough track, ‘We No Speak Americano’, which sold over five million copies and had over 200 million views on YouTube.
Exclusive to Melbourne, The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture is a collaboration between the NGV and the House of Dior and will feature a sumptuous display of over 140 garments from Christian Dior Couture designed 1947 to 2017. Australia has strong ties to The House of Dior from its inception, with the representative parade outside of Paris held in David Jones in 1948.
Proceeds from the NGV Gala will go towards supporting the NGV Fashion and Textiles Collection.
David Jones is a principal partner of the exhibition.
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