Fashion

How Dior Turned Rodeo Into Fashionable Bliss

Leave it to Maria Grazia Chiuri to turn something as simple and traditional as rodeo into a pure work of art. Yes, you’ve guessed it, we’re talking about Dior’s Cruise 2019 collection, where barriers between conventionality and modernity and masculinity and femininity all merged into one core body that is Diorodeo.

So how does one break barriers with fashion? Simply put, by drawing inspiration from old customs and traditions, and slowly but surely infiltrating them into today’s fast-forward and feminine-driven world. In Chiuris’ case, the well of inspiration was none other than the famed “escaramuzas”, also known as the traditional Mexican women riders who received the right – just like fellow male riders – to participate in the equestrian practice “charreada”. This sense of freedom and non-conformism was projected onto a plethora of ample skirts worn with fitted jackets and a high belt and of course, with a slew of wide-brimmed straw hats.

Show-stopping fabrics such as the French classic toile de Jouy featured a series of wild animals such as tigers and serpents, while lace pieces were offset by black rubber boots. Where there was volume, there was also an accentuation of the narrowness of the waist, as both factors came hand in hand together. Pieces from Dior’s archives were revisited in more modernized versions such as the haute couture afternoon dress from the Spring-Summer 1948 collection and of course, the iconic Saddle bag. The accessories were out-of-this-world with thick waist-belts, rubber boots, equestrian and wide-brimmed hats and animal-infested handbags taking center stage.

Chiuri gave power to the women and the women gave power to the otherworldly riders of the 21st century. Here are our favorite accessories from Dior’s Cruise 2019 collection. The Photo Gallery, right this way…

 

Cindy Menassa



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