First haute couture show by Maria Grazia Chiuri in Shanghai

After Paris in January, the spring-summer 2018 haute couture collection created by Maria Grazia Chiuri, Artistic Director for Dior women’s collections, was recently presented in Shanghai. To celebrate the special bonds between Dior and China, ten new models join the collection in a tribute to Chinese art and culture, and several creations have been interpreted in red. 

The connecting theme for the collection is the fan, a fashion accessory imported to Europe and associated with masks and echoing recurrent elements in Surrealist art such as optical illusions and trompe-l’œil. In 1950 Monsieur Dior reinterpreted the accessory to create the Francis Poulenc ivory silk taffeta evening dress. Maria Grazia Chiuri has revisited this iconic piece, along with other emblematic designs such as Vénus and Junon, evoking the shape of a fan with interplays of layering, plentiful pleats and wide skirts.

In another homage to China, several models have been created in red. A color associated with Chinese lacquer, red also recalls the words of Monsieur Dior “Red is a very energetic and beneficial color. It is the color of life. I love red and I think it suits almost every complexion. It is good for any time of day too.” Connecting with the origins of the Maison, Maria Grazia Chiuri nurtures a dialogue with the Dior heritage while engaging with a new generation of women.