Dior's passage to India that turned hundreds of women into luxury embroiderers

When it comes to finding a new creative way to talk about culture or transmit emotions that allow connecting with the ancestral traditions of a country, Maria Grazia Chiuri has the role of an outstanding student.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
06 May 2023 Saturday 22:53
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Dior's passage to India that turned hundreds of women into luxury embroiderers

When it comes to finding a new creative way to talk about culture or transmit emotions that allow connecting with the ancestral traditions of a country, Maria Grazia Chiuri has the role of an outstanding student.

He demonstrated it a year ago in Seville in a tribute to Spanish culture in the Fall 2022 collection and he has done it again in Bombay, India, with an extrasensory journey that has united the savoir faire of the country with the history and luxury of Dior house.

The Italian creative's link with India goes far beyond the result of the Dior Fall 2023 collection. For twenty years, Chiuri has had a very special relationship with Karishma Swali -founder of the Chanakya International workshops- and with her art school. craft.

This union, which has grown stronger and stronger over time, has allowed for a long-term project to train Indian women to become embroiderers, a profession that, against all odds, has always been restricted to men. men. Until a few years ago, they could only do these tasks at home. Thanks to the Chanakya International School and Chiuri's mentorship, more than 1,000 women have graduated, enabling them to work in workshops or run their own professional businesses.

This new Dior collection also symbolizes a unique opportunity for the French luxury house to explore centuries-old techniques that have inspired the fashion industry throughout history and, above all, shed light on all those who perpetuate them throughout today.

For the Dior models that will be dressed next fall, Maria Grazia Chiuri chooses a palette of colors and materials that exalt the common influences shared with Swali in timeless ways of dressing that have remained intact over time and that allow her to redesign your favorite models.

A collection that is expressed through sophisticated evening coats, long monochrome tunics or sari-inspired straight skirts. Bold prints that evoke elements of the Indian landscape and imagery are transformed into precious embroideries that embellish dresses, polka dots. As well as the iconic Dior Book Tote bag. Sewing made by women has always fascinated the Italian woman who worships the artisan textile tradition