Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Pre-Fall 2024 collection for Dior, shown in New York City, is as a tribute to the City, symbolized in the Statue of Liberty—a gift from France in the 19th century. This thematic nod is the focus of the collection, with key prints of the statue and the Eiffel Tower on numerous pieces, symbolizing a dialogue between these two style capitals as recounted in Christian Dior’s autobiography.
This season, Chiuri also draws significant inspiration from the feminist movements of the ’70s, reflected vividly in the collection’s homage to historical female figures and the incorporation of art from that era. Central to this is the collaboration with Suzanne Santoro, whose artworks explore themes of female autonomy and expression.
One of the striking elements of the show is the installation by Claire Fontaine, a collective known for its feminist and conceptual art. Their work for the Dior show features a series of neon lights shaped like female hands forming a diamond, a gesture from feminist protests of the ’70s and ’80s. The models walking amidst these luminous sculptures added a dynamic visual element to the runway, further emphasizing the theme of female empowerment.
The Acacia jacket, a signature creation of Monsieur Dior, originally designed in 1949 and famously worn by the Marlene Dietrich in the film ‘Stage Fright’, makes a return in the Dior Fall 2024 collection. As both a muse and a prestigious client of the House, Dietrich’s iconic style and persona deeply influence the new collection.
