A never seen before presentation heading for cultural collaboration through women empowerment,  Grazia Chiuri has a new mission for this new Dior’s era, and the Dior Cruise 2020 show held in Marrakech tells the story itself.

 

 

Transporting us to a fantastic land, creating a mystical experience where fashion and cultures collide, going beyond rules and borders hosting a fashion show for the first time ever in Africa,  El Badi Palace was the place, built in the 16th century a magical place itself, decorated with floating candles on the water, bonfires, pools, gardens and stone benches with cushions created the perfect ambience where the powerful catwalk took place.

 

 

Ponchos, flowing silk gowns, under molded jackets, featuring many of Chiuri’s signature silhouettes, where the main star were the fabrics.  Variations of ankara prints, wax fabrics, originate in the Indonesian batik tradition but now popular across Africa, were what driven this collection. Integrating African artisanship into this work, Uniwax a company in the Ivory coast, and giving it the credit it deserves, “This collection is not about an idea of an ‘African look’,” said the anthropologist Anne Grosfilley, Chiuri’s lead advisor and an expert on African textiles  “it’s a celebration of African savoir-faire, and it will be a part of a real African economy” The collection itself starts a conversation, about integration of cultures,

 

 

“WE SHOULD ALL BE FEMINIST” the feminist statement Chiuri introduced on their SS17 runway “For Maria Grazia Chiuri, being a feminist is a way of spreading a message and a mindset in order to alter preconceived notions and pay tribute to the strength of women,” a statement from the house explained post-show SS17. As powerful as it was then,this show was no exception, following her mission of empowering women artists she enlisted Sumano, a Moroccan organization that supports local artisan women, through it local female artists helped creating design details for the show as pottery painting, and artisanal cushions in which attendees were seated.

 

 

A beautiful night show under the stars couldn’t have a less impressive finale, the legendary Diana Ross surprised the guests with a powerful performance wearing a silver glittery “disco ball”  Dior gown, singing several hits as “Ain’t no Mountain High Enough” When Studio 54 meets Africa giving a perfect closure to such a magical night.