Where couture meets capital: How celebrating excellence in craft connects fashion and finance
Making its Asian debut in Singapore, UBS House of Craft x Dior honours Dior’s couture legacy while reflecting UBS’s belief that banking is similarly shaped by precision and passion
Christian Dior’s “Bar ensemble” from the 1947 Haute Couture Spring-Summer collection – the sculpted jacket and skirt that launched Dior’s revolutionary New Look – will take centre stage at the upcoming UBS House of Craft x Dior exhibition in Singapore.
The iconic design, which redefined post-war fashion, sets the tone for a showcase that spans eight decades of the maison’s creative direction.
Opening from Nov 21 to 23 at the New Art Museum, the exhibition marks the first Asian edition of UBS House of Craft x Dior following its acclaimed debut in New York earlier this year.
Curated by Carine Roitfeld and conceived by artist Brigitte Niedermair, the exhibition presents rarely seen archival pieces and five new, never-before-seen photographs that reveal the meticulous artistry behind Dior’s couture.
The Singapore edition introduces fresh visual and archival references to the region, including select sketches and designs that reference Singapore by name, reflecting moments when Dior’s creative directors have drawn inspiration from Asia.
It also traces the maison’s creative evolution through the vision of its seven artistic directors, from founder Christian Dior to Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferre, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri.
Visitors can expect to see newly commissioned works by Niedermair, who has collaborated with Dior for over a decade, reinterpreting some of the maison’s most recognisable creations. The exhibition will also feature talks, workshops and craft demonstrations designed to deepen appreciation of creativity and couture.
These sessions reflect UBS’s ongoing celebration of mastery through its global House of Craft initiative, which connects audiences to leaders in couture and horology, and opens that experience freely to the public.
As UBS House of Craft x Dior makes its Asian debut, Jin Yee Young, Co-Head UBS Global Wealth Management Asia Pacific and Country Head UBS Singapore, shares how the initiative reflects UBS’s pursuit of excellence.
What inspired the House of Craft initiative?
Our global House of Craft initiative came from our belief that banking, at its best, is a craft. It reflects the care and commitment we bring to building relationships and delivering advice. Through our UBS House of Craft initiative, we celebrate the shared values of precision, dedication and innovation seen in the mastery of craft across different disciplines and connect with our clients and the public who share the same pursuit of excellence.
Beyond couture, UBS House of Craft has also presented “Icons of Time” in New York City, which brought together twelve extraordinary timepieces curated by Ben Clymer, one of the most influential voices in the luxury watch industry.
How does the partnership with Dior align with UBS’s philosophy?
At UBS, we see craft as a process that demands time, passion and dedication – qualities that Dior represents through its own pursuit of excellence in couture. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to mastery, creativity and the people shaping the culture of tomorrow.
Couture is the pinnacle of fashion craftsmanship, and this showcase is part of our global House of Craft initiative that celebrates excellence in craft across various disciplines. More importantly, we see this as an opportunity to bring our clients and communities closer to the people and process behind great craftsmanship.
This philosophy also applies to how we manage wealth. In the third quarter of 2025, our total invested assets in Asia Pacific surpassed the US$1 trillion (S$1.3 trillion) milestone, with UBS Global Wealth Management Asia Pacific contributing US$816 billion. It highlights how our commitment to precision, discipline and long-term partnership continues to create value for our clients.
Why was Singapore chosen for the Asian debut of the UBS House of Craft x Dior exhibition?
Singapore offers a distinctive intersection of heritage and innovation. It is a global city that appreciates culture and creativity, making it the perfect setting to host the Asian debut of House of Craft x Dior, following the runaway success of the inaugural event in New York earlier this year.
For UBS, Singapore is one of our top two wealth management centres in Asia alongside Hong Kong. It is also our South-east Asia headquarters for our investment bank and our Asia Pacific hub for foreign exchange, rates and credit.
Singapore has also emerged as a vibrant nexus of culture and creativity. UBS is proud to be the Founding and Lead Partner of ART SG, South-east Asia’s leading international art fair, which welcomed more than 41,000 visitors in its 2025 edition. As a key centre for finance, culture, art and fashion in the region, UBS continues to create platforms that bring clients and communities together to exchange ideas and connect over shared passions.
What can visitors expect from the Singapore edition?
Guests will experience Dior’s evolution through the eyes of seven creative directors, brought to life through Niedermair’s photography and Roitfeld’s curation. The exhibition in Singapore will also feature newly added archival masterpieces, craft demonstrations and creative workshops.
The exhibition will also feature newly added archival pieces, craft demonstrations and creative workshops. Special sessions include a dialogue between Roitfeld and Niedermair on the creative choices behind the showcase; a talk by Niedermair on fashion photography as an exploration of identity; insights from Director of Dior Heritage Perrine Scherrer on the maison’s storied archives; and demonstrations by Marie Leroux and Yassin Kavak from the Dior Atelier.
Together, they celebrate the dialogue between artistry and craftsmanship that continues to inspire UBS’s own pursuit of mastery.
The contents of this material should not be construed as legal, tax, accounting, regulatory, or other specialist or technical advice or services or investment advice or a personal recommendation. No representation or warranty, either express or implied, is provided in relation to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information contained herein except with respect to information concerning UBS Group AG, its subsidiaries and affiliates (”UBS”). UBS is under no obligation to update or keep current the information contained herein, and past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Neither UBS nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents accept any liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or any part of this material or reliance upon any information contained herein. UBS specifically prohibits the redistribution or reproduction of this material in whole or in part without the prior written permission of UBS and UBS accepts no liability whatsoever for the actions of third parties in this respect. © UBS 2025. The key symbol and UBS are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of UBS. Other marks may be trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Share with us your feedback on BT's products and services
