‘An Ode to the Ateliers’ Dior SS2022 by Maria Grazia Chiuri

The Dior spring-summer 2022 haute couture collection is a celebration of the multi-faceted expertise of artisans and Petites mains around the world. Inspired by exceptional techniques, it exalts a collective effort in the name of excellence.

Asymmetrical bodysuits, bold yet elegant silhouettes an d monotone colour palettes were presented by the French Haute Maison Dior at the Musée Rodin in Paris during Paris Couture Week. The Maison’s artistic director Maria Grazia Chiuri paid respect to the Fashion House’s heritage of unique craftsmanship using intricate embroidery techniques, known to be Dior’s signature.

Image Source: Dior

Flowing gowns and pleated skirts embrace the feminine while structured blazers and jackets add a sense of masculinity. Hosiery was brought back to life in the form of crystal-encrusted tights, adding a disco element to the simplicity of the garments. Textures and flaring details create a multi-dimensional illusion of the pieces while models stroll down the runway. The focus of the show was to find the way back to “the essence of couture: to dress the body”. Embroidery is at the core of haute couture construction for Dior and the Spring-Summer 22 collection is all about using embroidery as a medium for structure and innovation.

Image Source: Dior

The collection celebrates the connection between humans and handmade objects with the help of two Indian graphic artists, Madhvi and Manu Parekh, whose art covered the walls surrounding the runway. “The set created a narrative suspended between myth and realism that unfolds along the set walls like a film,” says Maria Chiuri. The artist couple focused on embroidery techniques, inspired by Indian traditions and culture.“Embroidery becomes a three-dimensional conceptual act that reinvents the atelier’s techniques and elemental excellence; it progresses through a choreography of movements…It gives the fabric its structure, its architecture.” states the house of Dior.

Image Source: Dior

Honouring the show were seen the faces of actress Rosamund Pike, wearing a padded coat dress from Fall 2022 and a crystal-embellished headpiece and supermodel Cara Delevingne dressed in Spring 2022 pieces. The Maison shared pictures on their social media with the hashtag #StarsinDior where celebrities can be seen arriving at the show styled in couture outfits.

Kalina Magureva – Fashion Writer | British Thoughts UK