As models strutted across the wet pavement of Mexico City for The Dior Cruise 2024 Show, they emanated the spirit of Frida Kahlo. Maria Grazia Chiuri showcased common motifs often seen in Kahlo's art such as butterflies, florals and parrots. She also tributed Kahlo’s androgynous style and the three-piece suits she liked to wear. The show took place in what is considered to be the birthplace of the Mexican muralist movement, The former Colegio de San Ildefonso. This symbolic location is also where Kahlo studied and met her husband, Diego Rivera. For this collection, Chiuri welcomed the contributions of Mexican artisans and designers, allowing the craftsmanship and traditional techniques that are so deeply rooted in Mexican culture to be showcased. Their expertise was expressed in original embroideries throughout the collection. The country has been a muse for Dior since the beginning, providing inspiration to the fashion house. Dior’s adoration of Mexico’s vibrant culture has been expressed through years of tributes and the integration of Mexican styles in various collections. Black, white, red and pink dominated the resort collection, through both bold textiles and meticulous embroidery. The collection even featured a pink dress, reminiscent of one Kahlo wore in a self-portrait.
Celebrity guests Alicia Keys, Naomi Watts, Emma Raducanu, Riley Keough, Yalitza Aparicio and Lena Mahfouf were seen front row, and the artisans who helped develop the collection were also invited to sit front row, being able to watch their work take the stage. The show represented femininity and feminism. Art and artisans. Power and protest. The collection presented an array of various textures and textiles pieced together in a way that was both modern and historic. It featured pieces draped in lace, cotton and velvet. Skirts with pleats flowed gracefully across the runway, among three-piece suits. The golden butterfly jewelry reflected the mirror Kahlo had above her bed to paint herself. Kahlo showcased what it meant to push boundaries, whether it be through fashion, art or politics. This collection was a love letter to both the Mexico that inspired Kahlo and the Mexico that inspired Christian Dior in the house’s early days.
