Paris, late January. Haute Couture Week is in full swing, and all eyes are on Dior. On January 27th , Maria Grazia Chiuri unveiled her vision for Spring/Summer 2025, a collection conceived as a deep dive into « sartorial memory. » Far from a simple retrospective, the ambition was to create a dialogue between eras, to « disrupt the order of time » in a dance blending history, dreams, and a bold touch of « poetic punk. »
A Journey Through Reinvented Archives
At the heart of this temporal exploration, Chiuri revisited icons from Dior’s heritage. The 1952 « Cigale » silhouette , with its defined waist and rounded hips, is reborn through modern crinolines, often embroidered and playing with transparency. The original moiré fabric even makes an appearance, a direct nod to history. Alongside it, echoes of the 1958 « Trapèze » line, designed by Yves Saint Laurent , can be felt in more flared volumes, suggesting a liberation of the silhouette.
This conversation with the past isn’t just about shapes. It explores a « plural femininity » , oscillating between the ‘girl-woman,’ suggested by delicate tulle culottes edged with lace , the ‘bird-woman’ with organza feathers and mohawk headpieces , and the ‘flower-woman’ draped in petal-like capes.
The Spark of « Poetic Punk »
Contrast is king. The delicacy of haute couture – airy tulle , floating organza , meticulous floral embroidery – rubs against a rawer energy. The spectacular mohawk headpieces, adorned with flowers and raffia feathers , the laced boots climbing the leg , and touches of burnished silver inject that famous « punk aura. » It’s not aggressive rebellion, but rather a « punk daydream » , where irreverence is tinged with poetry. The palette, dominated by black and white but enhanced with metallic flashes of gold and silver and muted pastels , reinforces this duality.
An Artistic Setting and Contrasting Reactions
The decor was equally impressive. Indian artist Rithika Merchant transformed the garden of the Musée Rodin with her monumental installation « The Flowers We Grew » , nine paintings translated onto textile panels by the Chanakya workshops. A vibrant tribute to craftsmanship and imagination, although some critics noted a possible disconnect between the installation’s bright colors and the collection’s sometimes darker or more melancholic tones.
Because yes, the collection was divisive. On one hand, many praised the exceptional craftsmanship , the conceptual depth , and a certain lightness. Some even considered it one of Chiuri’s best offerings. On the other hand, voices were raised criticizing a sense of déjà vu , a style sometimes deemed too far removed from Dior’s fundamental identity , or a general lack of impact.
In Conclusion
The Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 collection is a complex work, an asserted dialogue with history and the codes of femininity. Between respectful homage and touches of punk disruption, Maria Grazia Chiuri continues to weave her own narrative within the legendary house. Whether it seduces or raises questions, this collection successfully poses the essential question: how can haute couture, the guardian of an immense heritage, continue to reinvent itself today?
Crédit photo: FHCM.