T he energy of fashion shows has been woven into the DNA of fashion house Dior since its in- ception in 1946. Cruise collection shows are a special story, as they are always held in a spectac- ular location with the world’s high society in attendance. With the pan- demic having changed the rules of the game, this time around a spec- tacle was organised for the residents of the small Italian city of Lecce and 20 million Zoom viewers. Maria Grazia Chiuri found in- spiration for the new collection in the rich history and traditions of the recently rediscovered region of Puglia/Apulia in southern Ita- ly. Lecce’s medieval central square found itself in the role of a stage, decorated with over 30,000 light bulbs that were placed on facades to form the same patterns that found themselves on the dresses. As much as 1.5 kilometres of led tube light- ing was used to write slogans sup- porting women, for which Dior is renowned. And as if that wasn’t enough, they also organised a com- plete programme of art and fashion. Models strutted their stuff on the square, while around them local dancers performed to the sounds of traditional live music. e entire fashion collection and show placed an emphasis on femininity, tradi- tion, old crafts and new forms. De- signs made of leather lace featuring hand-embroidered flowers alternat- ed not only with brightly coloured designs inspired by fields of flow- ers, but also with dresses and out- fits made from traditional linen produced in Puglia. An extraordi- nary fusion of the modern and the traditional. e second part of the show saw models appear in flutter- ing draped gowns, resembling god- desses with the centuries-old histo- ry of the Puglia region woven into them, imbued with the influence
GODDESSES IN HANDWOVEN LINEN That’s how it’s done by Dior Fashion shows are being cancelled, all events are on hold, we don’t know when theatres will re-open... The whole world is stuck on a break, and then Dior came along with the new Cruise 2021 collection to restore our faith in fashion and life
Tekst/Words: Sofija Kuzmanović Fotografije/Photography: Profimedia.rs
Fashion » Moda | 61
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator