DIOR Cruise 2024 – Homage to Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo
Christian Dior Cruise 2024
Christian Dior Cruise 2024
Source:DIOR Cruise 2024 – Homage to Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo
DIOR presented its Cruise 2024 collection in Mexico City on May 20.
The theme of the collection is Frida Kahlo, one of the most notable women painters in contemporary Mexican painting. Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri describes Mexico as “a place of the soul.” Chiuri chose the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso, where Kahlo once met her husband Diego Rivera, and where his large mural is housed as the venue for the show.
Frida Kahlo had a tumultuous life that included accidents, miscarriages, divorce, and illness and ended at the young age of 47. However, she continued to create despite the hardships that often came her way throughout her life, and each of her works reflects her own state of mind at the time. Also known as “the pioneer of self-portraiture,” she left behind many self-portraits in which she depicted herself in unique ways.
Kahlo was such an artist who transcended her body through her clothes, which became representation, proclamation, protest, and affirmation. Chiuri was inspired by the many photographs in which Kahlo challenged gender boundaries and added glen check suits and tuxedos to this collection. This is a tribute to Kahlo, who had worn three-piece suits for men since the age of 19 and had asserted her intelligence and independence. Also featured delicate lace dresses which were Kahlo’s beloved and pink dresses that evoked her self-portraits.
One of the symbols of Mexico, Butterflies was featured throughout each look, which was also impressive. Butterfly necklaces were attached to several looks, and butterfly motifs were added to corset-like details, adding femininity and glamour to the outfits.
On the other hand, echoing the Tehuana custom, the colorful traditional Mexican tunic, the “huipil” was featured and was coordinated with full-length skirts. In holding the show in Mexico, Chiuri renewed and strengthened her ties with the excellent local craftspeople there. The exquisite craftsmanship and the original embroideries co-created with the atelier that was scattered throughout each piece added a seductive touch to the dresses and shirts.
The finale of the show instantly put the audience in a poetic mood. Twenty models in white cotton toilettes dress lined up in front of the runway of the Instituto de San Ildefonso. The pure white dresses were embroidered in red by Mexican artist Elina Chauvet with messages such as Frida Kahlo’s famous heart, “Viva La Vida”, and “HOPE.”
Even today, women’s social status is still low in Mexico, and the increase in violent incidents and murders targeting women is becoming more serious. The messages embroidered on the dresses conveyed the independence and intelligence that Kahlo wanted to convey through fashion, and seemed to appeal to women to regain their original strength.
The Dior Cruise 2024 Show