2.

Maria Grazia Chiuri, the newly appointed creative director of Dior, will find plenty to appreciate about Lucie Meier and Serge Ruffieux. The Swiss duo was part of the inhouse design team that kept the shows going after the departure of Raf Simons in October 2015.

Drawing on Monsieur Dior’s Bar Suit, comprising hourglass jacket and full skirt, Meier and Ruffieux further refined the Dior sensibilities with their carefree attitude. By keeping the palette to black and white, all eyes were kept on the craftsmanship, which showed through the exquisite cuts, elegant shapes, as well as sculptural gold embroidery that embellished everything from crepe jackets to silk blouses and chiffon dresses.

Going back to the basics interestingly gave the collection an inimitable youthfulness and wearability. Dresses and skirts were roomier and friendlier, with linings of organza to keep the overall effect lighter and smarter. Jackets were also deliberately deconstructed, either elongated or gathered for movement and modernity. High fashion requires high-octane