Just as Raf Simons looks to the future, he traveled to the far past to find its place in the present. A beautiful collision of opposing eras formed the creative backbone for Dior’s fall ’14 couture show. The strongest presentation to date by Raf Simons as Artistic Director, this collection marked the designer’s greatest feat; making couture feel modern (so much so, at times it felt daunting).
In a 360-degree venue with cascading walls covered with white orchids, the interior exuded a space-like atmosphere. Opening with stunning Victorian-inspired ball gown dresses; the collection was divided into eight time periods beginning with 18th century court attire to present day. The final theme was the indistinguishable fusion between tradition and technology. Bare shouldered dresses based on the system of astronaut suiting represented the new code.
From modern variations of 18th century French court attire to astronaut-inspired pastel-colored onesies, Simons revealed, “how the foundations of one era are based on another, how the future is based on the past.” Bodices became the new skirt, jacket the new blouse and traditional dresses the new space suit. Lean coats with cape-shaped lapels and long fur coats that softly brushed the ground as the models walked, is our future wardrobe.
What makes Simons stand apart is his unwavering questioning of the future female wardrobe. In revisiting the past, Simons acknowledges that history repeats itself. Classic codes will continue to exist but it is our reinterpretation of it that marks our evolution and with Dior, Simons is not turning back.
In a 360-degree venue with cascading walls covered with white orchids, the interior exuded a space-like atmosphere. Opening with stunning Victorian-inspired ball gown dresses; the collection was divided into eight time periods beginning with 18th century court attire to present day. The final theme was the indistinguishable fusion between tradition and technology. Bare shouldered dresses based on the system of astronaut suiting represented the new code.
From modern variations of 18th century French court attire to astronaut-inspired pastel-colored onesies, Simons revealed, “how the foundations of one era are based on another, how the future is based on the past.” Bodices became the new skirt, jacket the new blouse and traditional dresses the new space suit. Lean coats with cape-shaped lapels and long fur coats that softly brushed the ground as the models walked, is our future wardrobe.
What makes Simons stand apart is his unwavering questioning of the future female wardrobe. In revisiting the past, Simons acknowledges that history repeats itself. Classic codes will continue to exist but it is our reinterpretation of it that marks our evolution and with Dior, Simons is not turning back.
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