In a world that feels heavy right now, this post will be rather light, focusing on how
This time, it’s how Christian Dior’s spring/summer line shown during Paris Fashion Week provides a new take on Woolf’s Orlando, emphasizing the novel’s gender fluidity.
As described on the Dior website, it provides “an opportunity to reawaken essential themes related to sartorial memory — in particular the creativity of previous centuries.”
Dior designer Maria Grazia Chiuria could not have picked a better work of fiction to get creative with the fashions of previous centuries than Woolf’s psuedo-biography Orlando, in which the male/female title character lives through 400 years of history — and fashion.
Here are some of the notable features of the new Dior line, according to The Industry Fashion website:
- opulent, gender-fluid silhouettes and intricate detailing
- a reworking of classic Elizabethan sillouettes
- a monochromatic color palette of black, white and cream, with flashes of red
- ruffled shirts with high colors
- long black coats, some heavily tailored, many trenches
- intricately detailed dresses
- combinations of leather and lace
“The start of the final act evoked the fusion of masculine and feminine styles. Intricately embroidered ribbons, richly woven fabrics and delicate embellishments stood alongside sharp tailoring, trench coats and oversized bags,” reflected fashion historian Robert Ossant, as quoted in The Industry Fashion story.
“The contrast of structure and softness embodied Orlando’s gender duality.”
Take a look for yourself.
