“ I felt like a ghost wandering around “ confided Svetlana Lloyd to her audience .
I attended a Lunchtime Lecture at the V&A Museum in 2019 . Svetlana Lloyd was describing how she felt after seeing herself featured in the Dior Exhibition.
Svetlana stood proudly in front of a full house, that was eager to listen to her talk about her time working as a house model, "mannequin“ for the Designer Christian Dior in the 1950’s. It is more than sixty years since she modelled and she is a vision of elegance and style.
A particularly highlight was that after only two seasons she traveled to Australia to model one of Dior's final collections. As the only English speaker, Lloyd was interviewed extensively by local newspapers.
After an introduction about Christian Dior she went on to explain how she arrived at the 30 Avenue Montaigne, the home of Dior.
As a young woman Svetlana was a dancer with Sadlers Wells Dance Company. In 1956 her life completely changed after an accident meant she could no longer dance. After deciding to go to Paris to cheer herself up as she was psssing Dior's salon she stopped to ask if there were any jobs going as she spoke several languages. Suddenly she was whisked off and put into a dress in front of Mr Dior who played an active role in the selection of mannequins as he realised just how critical they were to his success. To her surprise she was immediately offered a job. The next four years of her life were spent at as a Dior "mannequin".
During the lecture she shared with us some incredible stories, including one about Monsieur Dior’s love of sweets and how they would be hidden in drawer away from him.
A fun time remembered was in the shot above which features Dior and Svetlana partying with Salon Staff in celebration of the patron saint of Seamstresses, St Catherine https://www.accentfrancais.com/blog/the-tradition-of-the-catherinettes
The house of Dior recently shared on You Tube a film of Stephen Jones making hats for https://youtu.be/TP2fi2KRHd4St Catherines.
I listened in awe as I couldn’t quite believe that this incredible lady standing in front of the huge screen was one of the 'mannequins' in the some of the most famous photographs from the golden age of Paris Couture.
I took photos of absolutely every single image that flashed up on the screen.
Having kept these for almost four years I was prompted to share with you after discovering that the talk was downloaded and is available to listen to for free on Soundcloud. I noticed it has been edited as it was over an hour long, which is a shame as some of the stories I enjoyed have been omitted, but it is still very a enjoyable listen.
After the Lecture closed I spoke to a lady sitting close to me who turned out to be Svetlana’s Niece. I said that I would love to read a biography of Svetlana’s life. She smiled and said I know, but there isn’t one. Evidently lots of people do ask Svetlana to write one but she always says no. She then surprised me and suggested that perhaps I would I ask too as it maybe helpful ? I obliged and unsurprisingly she dismissed the idea. Her Niece, who was watching, glanced at me and we both chuckled.
To hear the talk click on the link
https://on.soundcloud.com/24ipxktrdvqApTMk6
Further links.
Dior Svetlana Lloyd (Flickr) Photographs
https://www.flickr.com/photos/skorver1/albums/72157634395690639/
Inside the House of Dior - A Models Memories
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=islPhtmqOeA
Stephen Jones Dior St Catherine's Day Celebrations in 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIBQgtKqlt0/?hl=en
Lunchtime Lectures are regularly held at the V&A . Book via the website in advance (free).
https://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson/programmes/talk
Lectures available on Soundcloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/Fu22GAvugqq7WXFb6
Yves Saint Laurent Trapeze Dress
https://museeyslparis.com/en/biography/premiere-collection-premier-succes
St Catherine's Day Celebrated in 1964 in the Paris Atelier of Antonio de Castillo
https://www.nytimes.com/1964/11/26/archives/couturiers-help-seamstresses-toast-patron-saint.html