Faces, Feathers, and Constellations: The Dior Lady Art Universe of Inès Longevial

Welcome to the Dior Talks podcast series dedicated to the 10th edition of Dior Lady Art, hosted by Paris-based journalist Katya Foreman. For this milestone edition, 10 artists from across the globe were invited to reinterpret the iconic Lady Dior handbag, transforming it into a one-of-a-kind artwork.

In this episode, we speak with Paris-based painter Inès Longevial, whose poetic universe explores the layered nature of femininity, intimacy, and intuition through soft forms, symbolic detail, and a nuanced use of color. Known for working from her own face while resisting the conventions of self-portraiture, Longevial’s figures become emotional vessels—suggestive rather than prescriptive, inviting open interpretation.

For her Dior Lady Art collaboration, the artist reimagined the Lady Dior as a tactile companion—alive, expressive, and full of secrets. Drawing from childhood memories of her grandmother’s quilting, she embraced patchwork as a method of storytelling, assembling drawings, fabrics, and gestures into vivid compositions. Rather than simply transferring an existing work onto a bag, she sought to collaborate with Dior’s artisans to transform the Lady Dior into something lively, bold, and a touch audacious.

One of her creations bursts with satin, feathers, and a sense of joyful excess. Centered on the motif of the face—a recurring theme in her practice—this patchwork piece, infused with the exuberant spirit of Niki de Saint Phalle, becomes a miniature stage where symbolic portraits unfold in layers of emotion and meaning. Motifs such as serpents, suns, and flowers suggest hidden narratives and personal secrets, inviting the viewer to look closer—to read between the threads. The second, a smaller version crafted entirely from shimmering glass beads, is vibrant, playful, and unrestrained, balancing intimate charm with after-dark sophistication. The third, more sculptural in spirit, conjures a “star-faced” figure, its surface embroidered with constellations that follow the intuitive movement of her brush.

Inside one bag, a hand-painted constellation awaits discovery—a hidden universe that, like much of Longevial’s work, invites wonder, tenderness, and a sense of play.

Download the episode to hear the artist reflect on her universe and her Dior Lady Artjourney.

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