Paris Fashion Week SS19: Dior

Diana Bell-Heather   |   24-09-2018

Ever since starting her journey at Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri has been channeling women’s strength in all of her collections – from the famed logo T-shirts reading ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ to FW18 line inspired by Paris student protests of 1968. Today we saw an equally moving tribute to female empowerment, but through a medium of dance.

 

dior ss19 pfw

 

‘Dance is the movement of the universe concentrated in an individual’ reads one of the quotes on the wall of the shows’ venue. The words are from Isadora Duncan (1877-1927) who was an American pioneer of dance and became an important figure in both the arts and history.

 

dior ss19 pfw

 

Other dancers mentioned included Pina Bausch, who pioneered modern dance in the 1970’s, and Sharon Eyal who runs a dance company was the choreographer behind today’s show. Different generations, but all with the same objective – to push boundaries that made them icons in their own field.

 

Inside, powerful beams of light illuminated a dramatically dark show space in a mysterious storm of white rose petals and out came the ballerina’s in draped blush pink tulle dresses, tiered maxi’s and flowing gowns in sheer fabric with floral embellishment. These elegant constructions were mixed in with sportier silhouettes like transparent camis worn over bralettes or under mesh tops.

 

dior ss19 pfw

 

How does this dancer get from studio to home? She throws on a denim kimono and a wool beret, or slips into a delicate leather jacket while keeping her hair sleeked back with a double headband. Every piece had movement, even the loosely fit suits belted at the waistline. The draping was romantic, the netting was edgy and the ombre elongated cardigans were timelessly elegant.

 

Fashion, just like a piece of choreography, should make you feel something beyond desirability. It should further enhance your believes or evoke a new perspective in your thinking. That balanced determination to encourage a conversation while creating visually inspiring pieces is something Grazia Chiuri excels in every time.

 

dior ss19 pfw

 

As a quote from Eyal reads ‘The most important thing is to enjoy dancing. And research inside your body, feel free – we are perfect as we are’.