Royal CRUISE
Promenade Casiraghi provided a dramatic backdrop for Raf Simons’s creations
Honouring venerable ties between the house of Dior and the royal family of Monaco, artistic director Raf Simons presented the 2014 Cruise Collection, his very first for the storied maison, at Promenade Casiraghi on Port Hercules, Monte Carlo.
Bursting with vivacity and light, the Belgian designer’s sheer creations reflected a reimagined attitude. “The focus for me here was on lace and energy,” explained Simons, who claimed the exquisite collection was in fact a challenge for him as he had never worked with the delicate fabric before. “It was about transforming the meaning of the material; not romantic, not historical, not old, to something light, playful, colourful, and modern – with energy.”
Signature elements remain strong, as seen in the Bar jacket’s crisp tailoring, juxtaposed with the rolling waves of the Mediterranean Sea. Corolle dresses in a rainbow of summer colours were a one-way ticket to sexy, with high splits and zips adding a seductive twist. Layered sunwear inspired a fresh insouciance, perfectly paired with stilettos of silver, coral, and ocean blue.
Gracing the presentation with their presence were Albert II, Prince of Monaco, and Charlene, Princess of Monaco. Resplendent in Dior at the post-show celebration, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene certainly looked set to continue the stylish legacy of her iconic predecessor, Princess Grace.