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DIOR PARIS FALL WINTER 2022 SHOW
DIOR FASHION SHOW: PARIS FALL WINTER 2022
Christian Dior’s Fall Winter line was launched in March 2022, showcasing some elegant and delicate pieces that were paired with strong and elegant designs.
The collaboration of D-Air proved to have a good experimental outcome. With the combination of technology interwoven into the fabrics and textures of the designs, it created a sophisticated and complex hybrid look to modern couture.
Some pieces presented in this collection made use of sporty and historical accents that were added with a modern twist. These pieces were motorbike jackets paired with a grey wool midi skirt, and an evening dress protected by a corset and exposed shoulder pads.
The show was closed off with Dior’s signature line of evening dresses, looking elegant and delicate. The whole Fall Winter collection was a sight to see and an experience that made one change their perception of what fashion can only be.
Survival Couture
Maria Grazia Chiuri, the artistic director for Dior’s Fall-Winter 2022 collection, invited Mariella Bettineschi, a digital artist, to create a historically-rich set to life.
There were black and white portraits hanging on every inch of the wall but there was something different about the portraits. Paintings made by renowned male artists such as Raphael, Caravaggio, Vermeer, and da Vinci that had female subjects were used as the focus of the set’s design. Another set of eyes was then edited to give off the eerie feeling of being scrutinized under the painting’s glare–as if it was the womens’ turn to stare right back.
The audience would have no choice but to take a second look, the metaphorical way of saying that we should take another look at how we perceive art. And in this case, fashion.
This was one of the key important aspects that Chiuri wanted to express in this collection.
It is a feminist gesture that implies that we, women, are at war. Not just against men but even against worldly issues such as COVID and the recent bombings in Ukraine.
“Covid was another form of war. We have all experienced some very difficult months. There is a lot of reflection, in these difficult times, about how to combine beauty, aesthetics, and protection,” said Chiuri.
She envisioned the idea of “beauty and protection” as the world is at an unfortunate time right now. Through this collection, it is to show how resilient and adaptable we humans can be when it comes to tough situations like this.
Technology and Haute Couture
Dior collaborated with the Dynamic Autonomy and Intelligent Robotics (D-AIR) Lab to create fashionable clothing with a protective function. To put into context, D-AIR Lab specializes in making safety gear and protective clothing for those that go adventuring or traveling to dangerous places.
It is interesting to see how technology can blend well into couture fashion to show that clothing is not just an accessory but a necessity that can protect our lives one way or another. With this technological upgrade in clothing, it shows how limitless our creativity can take us to.
Some pieces that showcased the idea of “beauty and protection” were bar jackets that were equipped with heating systems, combining high-tech nylon with high-end fabrics such as cashmere and sheer mesh and shoulder pads and corsets that also come with heating systems.
There were looks that paired motorbike jackets with a grey wool midi skirt, and an evening dress protected by a corset and exposed shoulder pads. There was even a piece that featured trousers with a jacket and Formula 1 gloves.
Experimental yet Artisinal
The collection entitled “The Next Era” allowed Chiuri to experiment under the technological premise that she envisioned. Her craftsmanship was emphasized and amplified by the way she mixed and matched the different patterns, textures, and materials available. Making use of the different fabrics used popularly in couture fashion with the technology made by D-AIR Lab really showed how beauty can also mean protection.
The inclusion of Christian Dior’s most iconic creation made in 1947, the Bar Jacket, really set the scene and mood of the collection. To go along with this, there were some pieces of Dior purses that went along with bullet-proof vests and trenchcoats. One can be a trend-setter by experimenting with the different aspects of fashion one may or may not be accustomed to.
Footwear with hints of sportswear
As seen in the experimental pieces showcased in the collection, it is no surprise that even in footwear, there is a technological and protective function to it.
Chiuri looked back at some archives of Dior and made use of shoe designs made by Dior’s decade-long collaborator Roger Vivier. She re-worked the heavily-detailed pumps, heels and Christian Dior sandals that Vivier made during that time and added some “ankle-supporting tech straps” by D-AIR Lab. Variations of the colorful shin to knee-length socks were made of use to add the sense of sportswear and functionality to the collection.
Trend Highlights for Dior
Now that the technical aspects are out of the way, we can now talk about the trends that Dior wanted to emphasize or bring to light once more. These are slogan tees, sporty accents, evening dresses, and historical accessories.
We can see how there are modern and Dior twists added to each trend as each model entered the runway. One piece is similar yet different from the next, encapsulating the whole theme of “beauty and protection” that Chiuri wanted to portray.
Slogan Tees
The slogan for this collection is “The Next Era,” a nod and feminist gesture to the work of Mariella Bettineschi. With the historical accent of the set, the slogan tee was paired with a black corset that really tied the vintage and modern style of haute couture. The simple and minimalist design of the top was paired really well with the intricately detailed bottoms and shoes of the piece.
Slogan tees were popular back in the day and it is exciting to see that Dior is bringing this back into their collection.
Sporty Accents
Highlighted in this collection are the sportswear accents added to some of both elegant and strong pieces. Some examples would be the strong biker-style gloves and jackets that greatly complemented the soft appearance of cashmere and tulle skirts. Even up to the shoes and socks of the collection had sporty accents such as combat and leather boots that were paired with sleek suits and coats.
The amount of detail put in accessorizing was not looked over. A jacket is paired with a sportswear clip buckle and the tech-wear fabric that was used around the ankles.
Evening Dresses
A Dior collection is incomplete without their signature feminine and delicate evening dresses. This is one of their strong points, which was excellently showcased in the latter part of the show.
The dresses were mostly floor-length and made use of tulle and flowy fabrics that showed just the right amount of skin. The models were like walking on air with how flowy the dresses made one look.
The pieces had a variety of bright, dark, and neutral colors that can be enjoyed by people with different skin tones. Each dress can be worn on many different occasions so it shows how versatile Dior’s designs can be.
Historical Accessories
Corsets were one of the prominent accessories used in this collection. There was a diverse set of designs used for this accessory alone. Some were inspired by vintage-style corsets, while others had a more modern and sporty look to them. This creates a strong silhouette for the user, further popularizing the trend of having a cinched waist. In collaboration with D-Air Lab, these corsets had built-in thermal technology that help regulate the temperature of the wearer.
The collars of the pieces were intricately designed. Chiuri most likely took inspiration from fashion trends from the 16th to 19th century.
One noticeable trait of the models was their braided hairstyle which was prominent in the 1600s. This is another one of Chiuri’s nod to the historical references that she wanted to emphasize. Modern glasses and headbands were then paired with this hairstyle to give it a striking contrast between the vintage and the modern style of today.
Takeaway
In conclusion, we genuinely hope this article was able to shed insight on Dior Fall Winter Paris Fashion Week. Dior’s ready-to-wear Fall Winter collection was nothing but beauty and elegance with a hint of cool. With the collaboration with D-Air Lab, the technological and protective function of clothing was brought into perspective by the wonderful vision of Maria Grazia Chiuri.
As stated by Chiuri, we are at war. There are many worldly issues that we can’t seem to fight back from. In that case, we need some form of protection.
And through this collection, we can see how clothing is not just an accessory but a necessity for protecting us. Coats and corsets were made to protect us from the cold by having built-in thermal insulation but still keeping us looking fashionable. Chiuri is made of fashion trends from the past to create the fashion of the future.