Dior has unveiled its Spring and Summer Collection for 2021, and with sunny weather comes a touch of the esoteric.
The collection was designed by Dior womenswear Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri, who wanted to use the idea of tarot cards to bring the fashion world some hope in the uncertainty of COVID-19, according to a report by Yahoo. The collection made its debut at the start of Paris Haute Couture Week's online showcase.
The annual gathering, a highlight of the fashion calendar year, looks much different in 2021. Brands and designers had to make major adjustments due to the pademic. The latest edition of fashion week was held without crowds while many brands replaced runways with virtual projections.
See also: Paris Fashion Week 2021 Goes Digital During COVID
Dior's Chiuri is famous for deeply-inspiring collections. For this Haute Couture line, she brought 45 new, regal looks, taking influence from one of Christian Dior's main passions: prophecy.
Tarot cards are used in especially murky times by those who seek some kind of answer, and Chiuri thought the magic and comfort these cards can bring would be a welcome indulgence as the world enters its second year of lockdown.
“It can help you not to be afraid of something you don't know, that's so insecure,” Chiuri is quoted via Yahoo.
The collection features extravagant gold dresses with stitched zodiac signs and tarot symbols. The line draws much inspiration from medieval patterns, weaving these ancient looks into modern pantsuits for the bold woman. There are bar jackets in smooth black velvet, empire necklines and medieval cape. The show was set against a whimsical castle setting, allowing viewers a sense of escapism.
Shows and fittings went completely virtual for pandemic safety, and while it was not ideal, Dior was able to successfully move ahead with their collection to help other industries that depend on fashion weeks.
“We tried to make the best of it for the supply chain, too," Chiuri is quoted. "We have to maintain the tradition of embroidery in Paris."
While traditional in-person fashion shows provide intimate settings for fashion editors, bloggers and buyers to understand the brands on a deeper level, online runways have transformed the way brands are viewed. It also mean they have to showcase their collections as uniquely as possible to capture the internet's attention.
In the midst of a nearly-impossible year, Chiuri’s Haute Couture collection brought viewers to an imaginary world and gave solace to many in a hard time for the fashion industry. It will be interesting to see what she does next.
Read more about the collection and see images of the clothes via Yahoo.
Photography by: STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN
