Dior’s star-studded Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week show: Claire Foy, Cara Delevingne and Rosamund Pike admired the brand’s spring/summer 2022 collection

Jan 27 , 2022

Models present creations for Dior spring/summer 2022 collection fashion show during the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, in Paris, on January 24. Photo: AFP

The atelier – the workshop of hands – took the Dior centre stage on Monday, January 24 for a refined show on the first day of Paris couture week, which aims to elevate the work of the house’s behind-the-scenes seamstresses.

Stars came out in droves to the Musée Rodin venue, including actress Rosamund Pike and The Crown star Claire Foy, who posed for cameras, exclaiming: “It’s beautiful. I’m in awe.”

Another VIP in attendance, model and actress Cara Delevingne, was criticised for not donning a mask.

A model presents a creation from Christian Dior’s spring/summer 2022 haute couture collections during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, on January 24. Photo: Xinhua

Designer Maria Grazia Chiuri wanted to show how the craft of the petites mains seamstresses, some of whom have worked in the Dior atelier for decades, was equally important as the art or fashion itself.

Glittering details from the haute couture spring/summer 2022 collection by Italian designer Maria Grazia Chiuri for Christian Dior during Paris Fashion Week, in Paris, France, on January 24. Photo: EPA-EFE

This muse was a springboard for a sumptuous and archetypally couture display.

For Christian Dior’s spring/summer 2022 haute couture collection, designer Maria Grazia Chiuri highlighted the importance of craftsmanship during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, on January 24. Photo: Xinhua

A dramatic trench coat-like look from Christian Dior’s spring/summer 2022 haute couture collection during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, on January 24. Photo: Xinhua

A case in point were the teeming white beaded tapestry embroideries gracing a structured ecru wool twill coat. Here, more than ornamental, the chic embroideries actually created the garment’s silhouette through sheer heaviness and swag.

Elsewhere, an ash grey crepe skirt with a high waist made a same statement: it seemed almost alive thanks to myriad long embroideries rustling and shaking on the pixie-like model.

Embroidery was at the forefront of Christian Dior’s spring/summer 2022 haute couture collections during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, on January 24. Photo: Xinhua

A close up of a gown from the haute couture spring/summer 2022 collection by Italian designer Maria Grazia Chiuri for Christian Dior during Paris Fashion Week, in Paris, France, on January 24. Photo: EPA-EFE

Speaking through the clothes, Chiuri seemed to be saying: art and craft are one and the same.

Embroidered tights were also a big theme for spring, with Dior’s army of seamstresses having gone to work in embellishing several statement pieces. Unfortunately, the sheer weight of the paillette embroidering did not always cut the most flattering of shapes on some of the tights, although they were all finely executed.

An all-white suit look from Christian Dior’s spring/summer 2022 haute couture collections during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, on January 24. Photo: Xinhua

A model presents a creation of Christian Dior’s spring/summer 2022 haute couture collections during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, on January 24. Photo: Xinhua

In style terms, there were hints of the on-trend 60s, with features such as Peter Pan collars appearing on sensuous sheer organza blouses, or neat fitted Bar silhouette tuxedo suits with bold menswear black satin lapels.

A textured black look by designer Maria Grazia Chiuri as part of her Haute Couture spring/summer 2022 collection show for fashion house Dior in Paris, France, on January 24. Reuters/Violeta Santos Moura

Stringent measures have been implemented across Paris Fashion Week to comply with French government guidance amid a surge of Omicron-driven new infections.

LVMH communications head Antoine Arnault, left, and his wife Russian model Natalia Vodianova, right, arrive for the Dior spring/summer 2022 collection fashion show during the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, in Paris, on January 24. Photo: AFP

Covid-19, which has brought the fashion industry to its knees, has seen the cancellation of countless shows, even ending entire seasons, and fashion shows are only being staged again on condition that guests show proof of vaccination and wear face masks while seated. It’s the same rule for everyone whether celebrity or journalist. France is currently registering Europe’s highest-ever daily coronavirus cases.

Rosamund Pike poses before the presentation of the Dior spring/summer 2022 haute couture fashion collection, in Paris, on January 24. Photo: AP Photo

Actress Rosamund Pike set a fine example by carefully putting on her face mask as soon as she sat down even despite wearing an intricate couture Dior headpiece. Nearby, The Crown star Claire Foy also donned a mask after passing the photo call.

Model Cara Delevingne poses before the presentation of the Dior spring/summer 2022 haute couture fashion collection, in Paris, on January 24. Photo: AP Photo

Model and actress Cara Delevingne, however, turned heads for all the wrong reasons: failing to wear a mask throughout as she watched the creations from the front row.

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Paris Fashion Week: Haute Couture

Designer Maria Grazia Chiuri highlighted the craftsmanship of Dior’s ateliers with embroidery taking centre stage, embellishing everything from gowns to tights
VIPs graced the front row of the Musée Rodin venue amid Paris’ Covid-19 restrictions – although Delevingne failed to wear a mask