Opening the show with a demonstration of the country’s sporting success, Dior brought its Fall 22 collection to South Korea with a runway show at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.
Reflecting the modern Dior woman and the ‘Dior Vibe activewear spirit’, Dior creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri invited a group of female skaters to showcase their skills on a specially built skatepark that subsequently formed the runway for the brand’s presentation in the dynamic South Korean capital.
The Fall 22 collection displayed Maria Grazia Chiuri’s masterful balance of elements that remain a signature of the legacy of Dior along with a plethora of fresh new ideas.
The designer took inspiration from Justine Picardie’s book Miss Dior: A Story of Courage and Couture that retraces the life of Catherine, Christian Dior’s sister, and celebrates figures such as Mizza Bricard and Marguerite Carré who contributed to the success of Monsieur Dior.
Honoring this network of women, Maria Grazia Chiuri transformed the emblem found on the jute bags of the Dior family business into a heraldic motif that emblazons numerous pieces.
It has become the symbol of a new sisterhood: that of the House of Dior, with the motto L’union fait la force (strength through unity) brandished by the Fall 2022 line.
In addition, Maria Grazia Chiuri became interested in elements of uniforms, in particular the way students dust off, revamp, and update the tropes of these garments, personalizing them with distinctive details, verging on punk overtones.
The result? A collection that is a lesson in contemporary layering including pleated skirts, black and white kilts, and jackets inspired by men’s suiting that reimagine the iconic Bar jacket.
Other elements included men’s coats and ultrashort skirts, biker shorts paired with white blouses and black ties, 3D-embroidered knitwear, and a video game-like pixelated zodiac.
A series of evening gowns, especially designed for the show, revisit some of the house’s iconic silhouettes – such as the Junon – reinvented through bold, asymmetrical cuts.
Among those lining the front row were a host of K-Pop stars and fashion enthusiasts including Dior global ambassador Jisoo, a member of the music group Blackpink. Nearby were fellow ambassadors, former pro-figure skater and Olympic gold medalist Yuna Kim, and singer and actress Bae Suzy.
