Yesterday, Dior staged its Cruise 2019 show in Paris, taking over the Grand Stables for a night with a crew of A-listers, fashion influencers and VIP guests. Here’s what you need to know about the show:
The highly anticipated staging was held at the Grandes Écuries du Domaine de Chantilly
Located more than an hour’s drive from central Paris, the historic chateau is also home to the Grand Stables. It provided a big hint to what the collection was about.
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Mother Nature wasn’t exactly very cooperative
What could have been another spectacular staging was marred by a heavy downpour that refused to let up even as showtime drew near. Still, the brand didn’t let the inclement weather, well, rain on its parade: The troop of models it sent out walked defiantly as the unforgiving storm bore down on them, adding an unexpected note of poignancy to the collection.
The show opened (and closed) with several Escaramuza riders on horses galloping into the set
And rightly so—the Escaramuza were female rodeo riders from Mexico whose skills matched that of their male counterparts.
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They were a fitting source of inspiration for Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri
Dior has taken on a strong feminist stance since Chiuri took over the reins. Heroines she has celebrated in her past works included Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Georgia O’Keeffe, so it made perfect sense that Chiuri looked to another group of strong women for her newest collection. The uniforms of the Escaramuzas aligned with Chiuri’s aesthetics as well.
The collection saw Mexican influences reimagined with a Parisian flair
Equestrian references were aplenty: Think riding-inspired caps and boots that are sure to fly off the shelves when they hit the stores at the end of the year. Dior’s famous Bar jackets also turned up in utilitarian khaki, worn over billowing skirts. Elsewhere, Chiuri’s signature fit-and-flare silhouette was also witnessed on beautiful dresses crafted from the most delicate lace.
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