For this collection, designer Maria Grazia Chiuri showcased the focus on feminist values and global craftsmanship that have helped drive Dior’s growth.
Dior presents its new Pre-Fall 2023 collection with an original and true homage to the local work, traditions, culture, and craftsmanship of India.
In a brilliant touch of luxury fashion, Dior transformed the grand monument of Mumbai’s Gateway of India into a runway loaded with celebrity, beauty, and craftsmanship. Flanked by the iconic, brightly lit Taj Mahal Hotel, the spectacular décor turned the heritage site into the entertainment and business capital of India in a mix of colour and style as models appeared to showcase the Paris-based fashion house’s pre-fall 2023 collection.
Dior has had a long association with India through the Mumbai-based Chanakya atelier, which works with artisans and underprivileged women. It has therefore been inspired by the close relationship between the house and the long-standing working relationships and friendship between India and Karishma Swali, who runs the Chanakya workshops and the Chanakya School of Crafts.
Maria Grazia Chiuri has unveiled the vision she shares with the visionary spirit of founding couturier Christian Dior: a place of exchange, study, and emancipation for many women; a laboratory to explore different types of savoir-faire that the creative director of Dior’s women’s lines has long celebrated.
The massive show, which featured 99 styles, was unique in the sense that many of the styles were created collaboratively in terms of color palette choice, motifs, mirror work, sequins and craftsmanship. The models were also carefully chosen, with 23 Indian models, 33 Indian models with international backgrounds and 43 internationals.
The choice of India for the runway show was the latest in a series of major Dior projects, from the takeover of the Harrods facade in London last Christmas season to the pre-fall men’s runway show that lit up the Pyramids of Giza last December.
For the guest list, Dior drew on a variety of A-list guests from India and elsewhere. Bollywood actors in attendance included the legendary Rekha, fashion icon Sonam Kapoor Ahuja and Anushka Sharma, accompanied by her husband, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli.
SIMONE ASHLEY
Bridgerton 2 celebrity Simone Ashley looked stunning in a sleeveless white dress at the fashion show. She kept her hair tied back in a sleek ponytail.
YARA SHAHIDI
Yara Shahidi looked absolutely stunning in an embroidered and printed jacket from the Dior Cruise 2023 collection.
Under the symbolic monument of the Gateway of India, models emerge from a spectacular archway wearing brightly colored robes, such as strawberry pink, fluorescent green, emerald and turquoise, inspired by Indian culture. On the catwalk, dresses with floral or mosaic prints, sparkling bodices adorned with pearl necklaces around the neck.
Among shirts, dresses and pyjamas, floral motifs manifest themselves as delicacy and elegance within the collection, while sophisticated evening coats, straight, sari-inspired skirts and traditional Indian cuts pay homage to Marc Bohan.
In addition to pants, boleros, jackets, and bras: a true genealogical tailoring defined by different fashion heritages and cultures. This collection is “an opportunity to talk about feelings and emotions that can connect us with a country and its culture,” says the Maison.
Karishma Swali, executive director of Chanakya School Of Craft, spoke about her upcoming collaboration with the fashion giant.
“I am deeply honored to share our artistic collaboration with my eternal mentor, inspiration and dear friend Maria Grazia Chiuri and Dior. We met over 25 years ago and discovered our common love for excellence in craftsmanship and began exploring innovative ways to preserve our artisanal legacies together. Over the years, we have dreamed and imagined a world where our craft communities continue to grow and women find a shared space to express themselves freely and creatively,” she said.
Take a closer look at the Dior Pre Fall 2023 runway looks:
