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Edmund Lee

Director: Frédéric Tcheng
Category: IIA (French, English)

The spectre of Christian Dior looms large in Dior and I. This behind-the-scenes documentary may evoke a whiff of corporate myth-making with its archival footage and narrated excerpts from the designer's 1940s memoirs, but it has at least proven its worth in capturing a pivotal moment in the Paris fashion house's legacy.

Overseen by Frédéric Tcheng, who co-directed 2011's Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel, this politely flattering film shuns recent history and intently chronicles Belgian designer Raf Simons' (pictured) first two months as the brand's creative director in spring 2012.
That was, as fashionistas would know, after John Galliano was dismissed and his replacement, Bill Gaytten, had arguably failed to impress.
Also reviewed: Helios
Simons was an unusual pick in that he had no experience in haute couture, was known as a minimalist from his tenure at Jil Sander and didn't even speak fluent French. A publicity-shy figure, he is nonetheless given a candid yet impersonal portrait here, which covers the period between his introduction to his team of workers and the debut of his first collection eight very hectic weeks later.
Also reviewed: Murmur of the Hearts
The conflicts between Simons' idealistic demands and the house's practical concerns are minor and forgettable. But as anxiety escalates in the run-up to the big day, the spotlight also falls on Simons' assistant Pieter Mulier, the two premieres, and the vastly experienced tailors and seamstresses in the atelier, lending Dior and I its most intriguing dimension: There's an entire collective in the "I".
Dior and I opens on April 30


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Film reviews

Film review: Dior and I - brand's artistic director Raf Simons profiled

This politely flattering film intently chronicles Belgian designer Raf Simons' first two months as the brand's creative director.