Raf Simons know how to put on a show, that’s for sure. For the Dior haute couture Autumn/Winter 2014 show, his collection centered on the idea of creating something modern through something very historical. Speaking on his inspiration he said:
‘What I was attracted to was an idea of architectural construction – that is a very Dior attitude – and how the foundations of one era are based on another, how the future is based on the past.’
It is this awareness of the Dior foundations that make Raf such an excellent creative director and visionary for the brand. His ideas of futurism through historical reference were orchestrated in an optic white cylinder, with a mirrored backdrop packed to the brim with tens of thousands of freshly cut white orchids. It seems these orchids were a signal for the delicate femininity that was to come, shown through soft colours and floral prints.
The designs were flower-garden wonderous, with blossom embroidery on pieces, which were immaculately clean-cut and modern in shape to off-set the historical undercurrents; which could be seen in the Eighteenth Century pannier dress among others nods to the era.
There were notes of strong tailoring clinging to the collection with fierce hands too, with the sleek black coats featuring oversized lapels giving a darker tone to the collection. Pockets added a cool, nonchalant note while the use of navy blue and khaki green added an unexpected utility feel. It was the Dior girl through and through, but taking on different personas with each set of looks, which were marched down the runway in sets of ten.
A modern girl trapped in history were the feelings of the show, which was a masterclass in why we still need couture houses.
