Dior Couture Fall 2013
Dior Couture Fall 2013
The future of couture has been a hotly debated topic for the past decade. Countless opinions have been voiced on the subject, but rarely does a designer confront the key question of his generation head on. Raf Simons’ serene couture collection for Dior was a thoughtful meditation on the couture landscape, its meanings and ensuing ethos. As one of the unquestioned leaders of this era of couturiers, Simons’ opinion on the subject holds special weight and in his view couture’s continuation is all about freedom and inclusiveness. The forward thinking and globally minded approach that has propelled industrywide growth of late, found an appealing representation in a collection that drew inspiration from every continent and era. Setting couture free from its lofty trappings and infusing it with a modern mix of unexpected fabric treatments and vivid colors, culled from an international set of influences is just the thing to awaken the market.
Simons’ ambitious approach made for a jam-packed collection of over fifty looks, each one incorporating a series of unorthodox pairings. A shift reminiscent of archival Dior, finds new life when delivered in spiky shibori tiers of red and jade, sparkling embroidery adds a touch of whimsy to the classic black dress, houndstooth suiting worn with layers of pearls feels fresh with the addition of citrine and each subsequent couture standby is elevated by the inclusion of a fresh element. Throughout his career Simons has been adept at updating the classics with subtle touches of modernity, here he expands on his oeuvre by enlivening the standards and making these familiar pieces feel exciting once more. Even the red carpet gown – always appealing, but usually one sequin away from staid safety – gets a reboot via a sorbet striped tulle column that crackles with youthful exuberance.
Text by Janelle Okwodu
Images by Lea Colombo for Models.com
This could be an editorial on it’s own! Beautiful photography
Wasn’t Joan Smalls in this show????? I would love to see her pictures
ALL THOSE PICTURE PHOTOGRAPHY IS VERY VERY RARE AND ITS ALL ABOUT EXTREME BEAUTY……..
the models are very beautiful!
Well, this is one horrible collection. Has nothing to do with what the House of Dior ever represented. Boooooooooring !!! And, transparent clothes?! Where did Raf see this in a Dior Archive?! Shame… ts… ts… ts… Thumb down.
Amazing Anastasia Ivanova, a redhead in White. Gorgeous
Wow! & Jourdan was cancelled?! Her figure could have brought life to these boring, shapeless pieces. Regardless, I do love the photography!
dior is going downhill.. missing the galliano days where couture was actually couture, interesting, and creative.
WTF This is a complete disaster – incoherent mess masquerading as couture. I’ve seen student level look better than this.
One of the maisons I adore the most at the moment, because of 1000 different reasons…
PS haute couture (generally, not only talking about Dior) and what it is / has become would deserve a chapter on its own imo.
I miss to Gianfranco Ferré. Yes, Gianfranco Ferré. J.G. please no.
I loved this Couture collection.
I found it nearly pitch perfect, within the context as crafted by Raf.
Very impressive and rather unexpected from his hands.
There was such beauty and a distinct sense of intimacy which threaded its way throughout the showing.
The current aesthetic of Dior RTW a la Raf has not exactly flung me to Mars but there exist particular garments and elements of the RTW segment which have displayed an acute sensibility and vision for the future of Dior.
It is even more so evident in this Couture collection. I have strong faith that this will all develop with exceptional beauty in the seasons and years to come.
This photography is knockout!