
The courtyard of Macalister Mansion is decked out with customised parasols, deckchairs and cushions in Toile de Jouy motifs (All photos: Dior)
Dior is making a huge splash up north in George Town, dotting Jalan Perak all the way to Jalan Macalister with colourful banners that draw passersby to the beautifully restored century-old Macalister Mansion to indulge in its annual Dioriviera range.
The eight-room luxury boutique hotel, done up by Colin Seah of Singapore’s Ministry of Design, has been taken over by the French fashion powerhouse and transformed into a Mediterranean retreat. From a distance, one can catch the sight of a pink Toile de Jouy flag fluttering at the top of the building, indicating the grand scale of the Dioriviera pop-up in Malaysia this year.
A star-studded cocktail party was held on June 13 to mark its opening. Friends of the brand and local celebrities, including Ameera Khan, Marion Caunter, Datuk Syafinaz Selamat and Scha Al-Yahya, were flown to the island for the occasion.
The whole of Macalister Mansion serves as a temporary creative playground for the summer collection but, for the launch event in particular, its white façade was used as the backdrop for a mesmerising projection show featuring the fascinating wild animals, which took audiences on a brief breathtaking journey through the jungle, accompanied by melodic soundscape. The evening was capped with a spectacular fireworks display and an invigorating set by model and DJ Shawn Zod.
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For the uninitiated, the Dioriviera line has been a staple of the house since its introduction in 2018, developed as a result of high demand from consumers who looked to incorporate a luxurious touch in their beach holidays. Hence, the collection synonymous with the sunny season has always been about injecting a fun twist into one’s wardrobe.
Christian Dior’s Toile de Jouy motif is the signature design for this lifestyle-inspired capsule. Originally featured on the walls, counters and furniture of the atelier’s first boutique at 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris in 1947, it has been constantly revisited and reinvented for the latest creations.
This time around, ready-to-wear items, fashion accessories, jewellery and home products are adorned with captivating Toile de Jouy Sauvage and Toile de Jouy Palms prints in shades of turquoise, pink, navy and beige. The latter was illustrated by Italian contemporary artist Pietro Ruffo, also a long-time collaborator of the maison. Drawing on the beauty and diversity of the animal kingdom, it depicts an idyllic landscape of an exotic escape, inviting aesthetes to marvel at nature’s splendour while flaunting the wearable art according to their individual styles.
Among the masterpieces in this collection is the iconic Dior Book Tote. Imagined by former creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri with the intention of making it a versatile daily companion, the new iteration of the crowd-favourite is fully embroidered with the Toile de Jouy Palms. Looking for numbers to instantly brighten up your sun-filled days? There are plenty of choices for dresses in a variety of silhouettes to suit different occasions, as well as elegant blouses and T-shirts for casual outings. Adornments such as square and twilly scarves, visors and hats will surely add chic flair to your look.
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While Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia and China are also playing hosts to the Dioriviera pop-up, Malaysia is the only country in Asia-Pacific to have a dreamy Bamboo Castle, erected on the grounds of Macalister Mansion. This cylindrical hut is a paradise for those who prefer timeless pieces in a neutral colour palette. Here, customers will find a limited-edition Dior Caro bucket bag boasting Macrocannage topstitching, exclusively available in the country.
Emphasising tropical tranquillity while reminiscing serene summers in the French Riviera, the venue is furnished with sustainable materials such as rattan and bamboo animal sculptures. In almost every corner of the mansion, visitors will discover life-sized woven elephants, giraffes, tigers, cacti and palm trees. Although these decorative pieces are colossal, their presence does not feel overwhelming. In fact, neutral shades soften the ambience and help direct the spotlight to the product offerings. Even the garment racks and display shelves are crafted from bamboo.
The courtyard where guests can hang out and soak up the sun is also dressed in Dioriviera prints, as seen on customised parasols, deckchairs and cushions. The swimming pool is equipped with inflatable animals printed with Toile de Jouy motifs. Another unique attraction is the Bike Café, which affords an opportunity to observe the scenic view of the property from an elevated height.
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Beyond retail therapy, customers can look forward to a delectable feast at the Dior Café, helmed by chefs Raymond Tham of Beta KL and Nathalie Arbefeuille of Nathalie Gourmet Studio. Tham’s menu for mains is a harmonious mix of French and local flavours — think corn-fed chicken masak hitam with potato pavé, asam pedas cod fish or Penang lor bak with Japanese wagyu. Meanwhile, Arbefeuille is in charge of the sweet treats namely The Cannage, The Bloom, The Lace and The Butterfly.
And what better way to wrap up a scorching day than indulge in frozen desserts? The stand just outside the café offers ice cream and sorbet in unique flavours such as tau fu fah, soursop and passion fruit laksa.
The 2025 Dioriviera pop-up at Macalister Mansion is arguably its biggest and most elaborate in Malaysia yet, blowing those in Johor’s Desaru Coast in 2023 and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur last year out of the water with its immersive experience and impressive set-up. If you are planning a vacation up north, consider starting your island holiday in style with a visit to the latest gem of George Town.
The Dioriviera pop-up and Dior Café are available until Aug 11. For reservations, visit dior.com or call (012) 329 2746.
This article first appeared on June 23, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.