COUTUROUS DIOR

Haute Couture is art. And each collection brings out the best. Best fabrics, best places and, of course, best designers.

Dior and Couture - words that go together well since 1947. Christian Dior's superbly feminine evening gowns were made of up to 40 meters of fabric, extravagant at that time. He bravely reinvented long-forgotten lace-up corsets and made a new statement in fashion with the "New Look". 

Yesterday Dior Couture Patrick Demarchelier opened in the Central Exhibition Hall - Manege, as a part of "Fashion and Style: in photography" biennale. My friend and I came early and looked through everything before the place started to get crowded. By using looked through, I mean it literally: I walked like I forgot to switch off the iron at home. I wasn't in a hurry, it's just the way I am. I can't look at a photo for an hour in 100 angles, exactly 2 min is enough for me to like/unlike. But this is not about me. Enjoy some high quality and not-so-high photos. 

"When you are a fashion photographer, you must inspire a dream" - said Patrick Demarchelier - "With Dior Haute Couture the dream is already there." He documented models and movie stars in the pieces from the times of Dior himself to the present day Raf Simons. Charlize Theron, Gisele Bundchen, Natalia Vodianova and many more are on the list.  

From John Galliano's extravaganza to Raf Simons' classics, The House of Dior always standed for the highest mark or luxury and this exhibition is just another validation.

"Couture is like art - they are art pieces of a fashion house. Each piece is unique and made by hand. We shot the book (of the same name) in so many different places. - New York, London and Paris. I wanted to put couture in interesting situations and set different moods for each picure. That's why I chose such a wide range of models - the book is made by so many different things; different places, different make-up, different models" - said photographer to Vogue US. 

Although it was nothing like the first-hand experience with 3-dimensional pieces, exhibited in the Pushkin Museum last year, I absolutely loved it. I was mesmerized by the vibe which all photos translated, but my favourite are Raf Simons pieces with walls of orchids as background, Dior traditional ball strapless gowns and black-and-white retro chic.   

me

HQ © Patrick Demarchelier. Courtesy of Dior