“Space-age metallics and feminine leopard motifs” were the stars of today’s pop-inspired Dior Fall 2021 show in Shanghai.
Under the creative direction of Maria Grazia Chiuri, the famed French fashion house showed its ready-to-wear Fall 2021 collection in a Shanghai Fashion Week show that catered to audiences both online and in real life.
Shanghai's fashion-filled week has been applauded for its physical and digital presence, hosting one of the first in-person runway shows with pre-pandemic attendance levels since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (in accordance with local health regulations).
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Dior’s collection was inspired by longtime Dior muse Mitzah Bricardi and designer Elio Fiorucci, drawing on different concepts of “pop” and adapting them to classic Dior silhouettes.
Starting from a complete black-out, models descended stairs to a leopard print floor, flanked by sparkling walls and mirror balls on the ceiling. It was the perfect stage for Dior's psychedelic disco and pop-inspired collection.
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Opening with metallic pieces, the collection flows through different color, material and silhouette shapes. Walking to Donna Summers’ “Bad Girls,” one thing was clear: Dior came to play.
Pulling on classic silhouettes, Dior’s signature Bar jacket was revisited in a variety of colors and patterns. Alongside five new exclusive models, each in a different neon hue and red—“the color of life” as house creator Christian Dior noted—this collection pays tribute to the House’s archive.
The showstopper was a sparkly-red, translucent jumpsuit with black collar and belt accents. It embodied all major trends of the collection with utility-inspired pockets, sharp lines and red, light-reflecting sparkles.
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Fiorucci’s emblematic leopard print was another highlight. Featured on sweaters, tops, skirts, dresses and even the floor, the prints came in neon for a modern take. The leopard print shone brightest in a variety of transparent coats. In black and a range of fluorescent hues, Chiuri paid homage to one of Dior’s hallmark designs.
The end was marked by four identical outfits in varying color. A dazzling silver top was paired with neon-colored tulle skirts as each model walked the runway with a letter on their chest, spelling "DIOR."
With music by Giorgio Moroder and words by Maripol, the show ended with the spoken words ”we are going out tonight." It's a manifestation of the collection itself and our hopes as we near a horizon of vaccinations, decreasing infection rates and fashion-filled nights.
See Dior's full runway show below.
Photography by: YouTube video
