Christian Dior Fall 2012 Couture
This is without doubt was the couture show everybody was waiting to see. For many years Dior has become almost joined, mostly in the minds of the younger generations, to John Galliano and his historically influenced pieces and insane make up. So, to see an almost completely different designer take on the role was, at least to me, refreshing and exciting. But no I don't want to make this post some sort of critique or comparison piece between the two designers I want to focus on the actual pieces themselves. Like Susie Bubble said in her wonderful post about the show and its connections to innovation within fashion: it's hard to judge when you not there and there is more than enough of it already in existent.
So, here goes my pure and personal thoughts about the collection without being there or taking into consideration John Galliano Dior.
Anyone who knows me knows that when it comes to my style is that although I have my absolute loves and hates and usually am more on the feminine side what I wear is usually dependent on my mood meaning I can quickly switch between minimalist black and white to wanting to wear a billion colours and prints and wanting to wear pants to wanting to wear a full skirt and corseted top. So, if we really only talking about my tastes Raf Simon's premier couture collection for Dior is perfect.
The collections line between the quite minimalist (which Simon's mastered at Jil Sander), with the black suiting and structured pieces, and classic Dior embroidery and 50's style dresses, full skirts and modern and classic prints is gorgeous and most importantly the best and simplest couture. It focuses on the clothes, the fit, the shapes, the details, the cuts, not the theatrics which is not only refreshing about exactly what I want to see.
The focus on a classic hourglass shape not only feels like Dior but is also amazing especially when it come's to those perplum tops and prints used on them and the metal belts. The colour palette, although reminiscent of his last collection at Jil Sander, is gorgeous particularly that deep true blue which appears in my favourite piece (the full floral skirt and sheer top look below) and the ombre almost tie dyed classically cut dresses and the trousers blended the lines between classic and modern.
Summary: Yes, it was a little less of what we expect from normal couture and some it did seem like rehash from Jil Sander but this collection was mean't to breathe new life into Dior and it has done just that.
It's ALMOST the perfect simple, modern and classic couture show.
Oh, and I liked it!