Living Our Twisted Fairy Tale Fantasies in Dior AW21
Dior redesigns stereotypes at Paris Fashion Week.
The Hall of Mirrors at Versailles was turned into a mystical world for Dior’s fall 2021 collection. Titled Disturbing Beauty, a chilling atmosphere was created through cascading fog and a ticking clock, as moon-lit silhouettes floated down the runway.
Creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri aimed to challenge beliefs about damsels in fairy tales, focusing on the future of female narratives as frighteningly beautiful. It is therefore fitting that the video was shown on March 8th, International Women’s Day.
Escaping reality has never been easier than through the current state of fashion week going digital. Designers have showcased innovative films to replace the much-missed real events, and now Dior has transported us down the rabbit hole to a new dreamlike reality.
Encapsulated in a world of Angela Carter’s The Bloody Chamber, female characters are redefined through an avant-garde appeal. The story of Little Red Riding Hood takes form through floral prints, embossed monochrome headscarves and, of course, red hoods. While another model appeared in a black tulle dress, with a red rose attached at the hip, evoking the story of Beauty and the Beast.
Accessories of gold jewels provide a touch of magic, allowing the models to act as princesses in the ball-like setting. Elsewhere, ultramarine blazers and shorts are paired with knee-high black boots, simultaneously combining rigid structures with femininity. Stand-out pieces include a full-length red gown, with a heart shaped chest, echoing The Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland.
On a runway adjacent to mirror-lined walls, it’s clear Chiuri explores the theme of female perception and empowerment in the latest collection. In an exquisite luxury that could only be Dior, damsels are subverted and instead of showing fear, they exhibit strength and potency. This twist on fairy tales sees the female protagonist save herself and defeat the big bad wolf, without any need for a knight in shining armour.
Shop the full ready-to-wear collection here.
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