The Olympics may have ended, but the sports fashion season in Paris began soon after. Christian Dior has brought a new meaning to Paris Fashion Week with its ready-to-wear sports collection featuring a blend of modern couture and undeniable elegance. Under the direction of designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, models were presented in some of Dior’s finest athletic and contemporary looks. This catwalk, similar to Ethical Culture Fieldston School’s yearly fashion show, told a different story for each piece of clothing presented. Viewers could see the hard work put into each part of these fabulous outfits, leaving the audience in amazement time and time again.
To commence the show, female archer Sag Napoli stepped into a glass shooting range. With precision and concentration, hit a direct bullseye. Once the arrow reached the target’s yellow silicone, models began to strut down the runway at Musée Rodin.
As spectators admired the empowering and delicate clothing pieces, it was clear to all that Maria Grazia Chiuri’s intent for this runway show was to admire women in sports by celebrating the female body and its beauty through the fabrics around them. Dior took this celebratory message to the next level by naming eighteen women athletes as brand ambassadors for Christian Dior’s ready-to-wear athletic collection. This “dream team” includes the fastest woman alive and five-time Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah, and two-time World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan.
As models continued to walk down the runway and arrows continued to fly into the target, the outfits proceeded to impress all who witnessed. The clothing presented a monochrome color pallet with unique and pristine designs and cutouts. What were once classic sports uniforms were transformed by Chiuri into unrecognizable canvases of art. Specifically, one look that captured my attention was a one-shoulder sequined bathing suit on a model whose hair, although done professionally, was in a messy ponytail. In addition to her ponytail, I saw a twice-wrapped Christian Dior labeled sports headband placed onto the center of the model’s head. Down to the feet of the model, all of the accessories were placed so intentionally and pleasing to the eye, as we see a pair of sparkling silver sneaker boots matching in color to the bedazzled bathing suit. This look, like all the others, deserves a round of applause for Dior and Maria Grazia Chiuri for the incredible and incomprehensible work and dedication put into these works of art.
Not only has this fashion show been one of the most empowering ones viewed in the history of Christian Dior but also in the history of all designer couture. Christian Dior has flipped a new page in the book of fashion that all females and all people alike are excited to see in the near future. With diamond-sewn swimsuits, sporty backpacks, jersey dresses, and chic designer sneakers we are all proud to say that Dior has once again amazed us.
