Dior Kicks Off Paris Fashion Week with a Feminist Flair

BY Jana Lee

September 26, 2023

Welcome to the high-fashion world of Paris, where the aura of chicness and rebellion intertwines to present a show-stopping spectacle, and this season, Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri decided to shake things up a bit! The Jardin des Tuileries was bustling with fashion aficionados, influencers, and A-listers, all ready to witness the fascinating fusion of fashion and feminism.

Courtesy of Dior

In an environment humming with excitement and anticipation, Chiuri unravelled a summer collection that sang the unsung tales of fierce and resilient women, often dubbed as witches in the Middle Ages. To bring the spirit of revolution alive, Italian feminist artist Elena Bellantoni dressed up the venue with LED panels showcasing rebellious slogans and imagery of outdated sexist advertising, provoking thoughts and channeling a sense of empowerment.

The collection seemed like a poetic protest against patriarchal norms. With phrases like “Listen to the beat of your heart / I am not a piece of meat” and “Your body is poetic / your body is political,” the installation titled “Not her” echoed in shades of yellow and purple, amplifying the message of women empowerment and self-love.

The couture was a mesmerizing interweave of delicacy and strength, featuring ballet flats and kitten-heels wrapped in gladiator ties, voluminous pleated skirts paired with lace dresses, all predominantly in hues of black and sand. The torn and tattered dresses were a symbolic representation of the ongoing battle against misogyny that Chiuri has been championing since her inception at the house.

The runway bloomed in shades of pink and neon yellow, and Bellantoni’s collages depicting the prevalent sexist and misogynistic nuances of our society added a touch of rebellion to the aesthetic panorama.

Dior’s classic elements like the Toile de Jouy fabric received a modern twist, appearing in darker tones, ensuring the romantic essence of the brand was preserved but rejuvenated. Chiuri transformed the traditional Bar Jacket into a utilitarian masterpiece, making it resonate with the modern woman.

This show was not just a fashion statement but a bold declaration: “The patriarchy is so last season!” It rejected the conventional norms of the fashion industry, urging women to embrace their true selves beyond the societal idea of perfection. The pop-art spirit, the vibrant colossal letters, and the high fashion rebellion blended seamlessly, making it a visual treat and a thought-provoking experience.

Maria Grazia Chiuri didn’t just unveil a collection; she unravelled a story, a movement, and a choice. By revisiting and revamping stereotypes, she has taken a leap to evolve the codes of the fashion house, allowing women the freedom to choose what defines them, letting them be the critics and the creators in the world of fashion.

So, here’s to a fashion fiesta that was more than just fabrics and colors; it was a celebration of the modern, empowered woman, unafraid to challenge norms and radiate her true essence! The fashion realm waits in bated breath to see what more innovations and revolutions this Parisian season unfolds!

Photo Credit: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
Photo Credit: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
Photo Credit: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
Photo Credit: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
Photo Credit: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
Photo Credit: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
Photo Credit: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
Photo Credit: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
Photo Credit: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
Photo Credit: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
Photo Credit: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
Photo Credit: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
Photo Credit: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com