DIOR

The commune of Chantilly, which lies northeast of Paris, is historically linked to the equine. It is where major horse races such as the French Derby are held, and where the famous Great Stables (or Grandes Écuries, as it is referred to in French) sits proudly on lush open fields. Built in the 18th century by Louis Henri de Bourbon, the sprawling structure and its grounds were transformed for a one-night extravaganza that was Dior’s latest cruise show. As it transpired, the House’s Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri was moved by the strength of the escaramuza riders—female Mexican rodeo riders whose display of tenacity on horseback resonated with the feminist leanings she has instilled at the Parisian fashion powerhouse. Their fit-and-flare uniform (which bore similarities to Dior’s New Look silhouette) was reimagined by Chiuri as beautiful embroidered dresses or billowing skirts worn under safari jackets. Chantilly is well-known for its lace too, and Chiuri applied the delicate fabric liberally across a selection of feminine tiered dresses. Thick belts encircled waists as finishing touches, while hats shielded models from the evening rain that pelted down on the runway set.