With the Times Up and #MeToo movements weighing on our collective consciousness, there’s been a lot of conversation about how the fashion world will — or will not — address the real-world issues in their collections and shows. Today, Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Dior collection provided one strong example.
With a venue canvased with posters that look ripped from a protest rally, Chiuri drew inspiration from the ’60s: The Youthquake movement was a time of revolution both in fashion and culture, and a search for authenticity. “The times were changing, as were the bodies, faces, attitudes, and personalities, of those who initiated this sartorial revolution,” read the show notes.
Ruth Bell opened the show wearing a sweater that read “C’est non non non et non” or “It’s no no no and no.” Resist, at its finest.
Instagram: @dior
From there a parade of models wearing pleated kilts of different fabrications, plaid or striped pant suits, and skirt suits made their way down the runway.
Instagram: @dior
Each wore a “revolutionary” style hat: a beret, Russian Bolshevik hats, plus march-worthy foot wear to match, like tough black boots and clogs — practical shoes one could easily log miles in.
Instagram: @dior
They also wore saddle bags slung crossbody and towards their backs, as through they were running to a protest and their bags got turned around in the stampede.
With this collection Chiuri also wanted to address gender equality, roles, and rights — a continuation from her feminist collections from the past few seasons.
Showing a series of black leather looks, patchwork blazers, crochet bra tops and even a flower power-esque finale dress, it’s clear Chiuri wants to dress women who are ready for a revolution.
Instagram: @dior
Of course, Twitter activists and regular ones too have an uncomfortable relationship with the commercialization of revolution and feminism. Pepsi quickly found that out in April of last year when an ad featuring Kendall Jenner and faux protestors was pulled from the air a day after its release. Whether Dior will donate the proceeds from purchase to any meaningful work remains to be seen, but as our writers have argued in the past, spreading mindful awareness — on the runway, on a T-shirt, on a handbag — is a commendable act.
From: ELLE UK
