July 10, 2018 |
We all know it takes hundreds of hours to create a stunning couture gown, but how much time does it take build a beautiful set to go with? A total of 16 days and eight nights, with a group of 200 people working on it. The Christian Dior Autumn/ Winter 2018 Couture show was all about rediscovering the meaning of couture – with minimal embroidery and a focus on muted hues, Maria Grazia Chiuri proclaimed that frills and decadence are a thing of yesterday. But however effortless the looks walking down the catwalk seemed, it was the catwalk itself that portrayed the beauty of abundance hidden behind this strange world of luxury. Built as a giant white cube placed within the grounds of Musée Rodin in Paris, the set for the show designed by Bureau Betak consisted of multiple floors filled with exactly 294 dressmaking mannequins clothed in toile versions of the couture garments that were in the show. This case of fashion inception was a nod to the lengthy process behind the making of the final garments, and a charming way of going against the grain. By not showing only the final dress, Mrs Chiuri embraced all the imperfections that are part of design. Like the small pieces of bread forming a path behind Hansel and Gretel, the mannequins were there to remind us of the tedious pathway to creating Haute Couture. Here captured in only 44 seconds, these 16 days, eight nights and 200 people make us break a sweat just by looking at the hard work behind this monumental set, a perfect reminder to be more aware and grateful of the beauty surrounding us.
