Front-row access: How couture and craftsmanship captivated visitors in S’pore

Singapore’s cultural calendar saw a standout moment with the Asian premiere of UBS House of Craft x Dior, a multi-day creative showcase held at the New Art Museum Singapore – part of the Whitestone Gallery.

From Nov 21 to 23, guests experienced a programme that blended couture heritage, conceptual photography, live craftsmanship and intimate creative dialogues – a rare opportunity to see mastery unfolding across disciplines.

For Ms Jin Yee Young, Co-Head UBS Global Wealth Management Asia Pacific and Country Head UBS Singapore, the strong public turnout underscored the universal resonance of craft. 

“It has been incredibly rewarding to witness both visitors and our clients immerse themselves in UBS House of Craft x Dior, experiencing firsthand the precision, skill, and dedication behind fashion’s highest craft. Moments like these reflect what UBS has stood for over 160 years: a commitment to excellence and connecting people, ideas and generations,” she says. 

Curated by Carine Roitfeld – the legendary ex-editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris – and Brigitte Niedermair, a photographer known for her striking, conceptual fashion imagery, the Singapore edition extended the momentum of its acclaimed New York run earlier this year. 

Their combined creative direction shaped an edition that felt both global in scope and locally relevant, drawing fashion enthusiasts, cultural tastemakers and the wider public.

Tracing Dior’s creative lineage

A highlight of the exhibition was its tracing of more than eight decades of creative direction, presented through the work of seven creative directors who shaped the maison’s evolution – from Christian Dior himself to Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferre, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri, with a special tribute to Kim Jones.

Displayed alongside their couture pieces and moodboards were five new photographs by Ms Niedermair, shown for the first time. Also exclusive to Singapore was an immersive room celebrating Christian Dior’s iconic sketches and emblematic silhouettes, alongside new archival materials that explore the maison’s long-running dialogue with Asia.

Several archival designs referenced Singapore directly, grounding the exhibition in a conversation about regional identity, influence and creative exchange.

Guests also observed artisans demonstrating couture techniques in real time – from the internal architecture of garments to intricate hand-finishing. “The Craft of Couture”, an exclusive panel featuring two senior artisans from the Dior Atelier, offered rare insight into how tradition and innovation coexist within a modern atelier. 

Meanwhile, “Framing Fashion: Brigitte Niedermair on Couture and Culture” examined how photography shapes cultural narratives around craftsmanship, femininity and the passage of time. Together, these sessions positioned the exhibition not simply as a presentation of objects, but as a space for thoughtful dialogue about process and perspective.

Craft as a shared language

Beyond the central exhibition, another key component was a youth-focused initiative. Close to 50 students from Lasalle College of the Arts and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts were invited for an exclusive learning session with Ms Roitfeld and Ms Niedermair. 

They observed artisans at work, conversed with the creative leads and gained first-hand insight into the discipline and imagination behind world-class craftsmanship.

“Craft is where vision meets skill. Whether in creativity or in building one’s future, mastery takes time, discipline and imagination,” shared Ms Young. “UBS is delighted to inspire the next generation of creative leaders in Singapore through our UBS House of Craft x Dior immersive experience, which also serves as a platform for dialogue, discovery and cultural exchange.”

This youth-focused component echoed UBS’s wider commitment to supporting creative education and nurturing the next generation of talent.

UBS House of Craft was born from the belief that banking, at its best, is a craft. The global initiative celebrates mastery across fields – from couture to horology and beyond – through exhibitions, masterclasses and behind-the-scenes encounters. It aims to connect audiences and clients with the people, processes and perspectives that define excellence.

As the platform expands across Asia and beyond, future editions will explore new disciplines and offer more pathways for audiences to deepen their understanding of craftsmanship. The Singapore edition demonstrated how the language of craft, when shared openly, continues to inspire across industries and generations.

Continue exploring the ideas, craftsmanship and creative dialogues behind the UBS House of Craft initiative here.

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