#HauteCoutureDiaries: Dior SS 2020
On the occasion of the spring-summer 2020 haute couture collection, Maria Grazia Chiuri continues her committed reflection on the complexity of the relationship between feminism and femininity.Specially designed by the American artist Judy Chicago, the show’s set - the monumental work The Female Divine, depicting the body of a goddess - illuminates the collection’s silhouettes embodying triumphant beauty. Reflecting this creative power, the peplum, with its essential, timeless allure, is enhanced by the virtuoso Dior savoir-faire. A palette of soft colors and more masculine fabrics magnified by gold punctuate these exceptional models imbued with spirituality.
Going back to the origins of these ancient costumes extends the question “Are Clothes Modern?" – as a recurring thread in Maria Grazia Chiuri’s creative process – while enhancing Dior’s codes. These new reinterpretations are given a marvelous palette, wrapped in braided cords.
The peplos, a garment of timeless modernity, is reinterpreted as evening dresses. The drape, with its clean line, follows the curve of the body and gives structure to the silhouettes, such as fitted jackets with loose collars, and skirts and pants that are transformed into tuxedos in more masculine materials - like houndstooth and herringbone – woven with gold. Going back to the origins of these ancient costumes extends the question “Are Clothes Modern?" – as a recurring thread in Maria Grazia Chiuri’s creative process – while enhancing Dior’s codes. These new reinterpretations are given a marvelous palette, wrapped in braided cords.
As she developed her looks, the Creative Director drew inspiration from classical representations of goddesses, such as Athena. Her majestic allure is a neo-platonic allegory of beauty, magnified by iconic works such as the Winged Victory of Samothrace and Primavera by Sandro Botticelli, combining intellectual strength and aesthetic harmony. The collection’s key motifs — golden, wholesome ears of wheat — once again recall women’s unstoppable creative force.
