Ukrainian artist Olesia Trofymenko has found herself at the centre of Christian Dior’s FW/22 Haute Couture collection.
While war wages on in Trofymenko’s homeland—a horrific invasion by Russia which has seen many, including Troymenko displaced—over 2,000 kilometres away in Paris, the fashion set have gathered to usher in Maria Grazia Chiuri’ latest haute couture iteration.
As a master of couture, it’s no surprise that MGC has chosen the medium of made to measure design to show her support for those affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Never the one to shy from a political statement—need us remind you of the Italian designers debut collection for the luxury maison in 2017 that presented basic shirts emblazoned with the phrase ‘We Should All Be Feminists—Dior is taking this Chiurisim to the next level with their whimsical and folkloric collection.
At the heart of this collection lies Trofymenko’s interpretation of the tree in life. A traditional motif that Dior described as “symbol of the connection between cultures, mythologies and all forms of creation”.
Fresh from their Andulasian escapades in the south of Spain for their Cruise collection, Dior has returned to the Musée Rodin and have come home to lay their proverbial roots: effortlessly elegant design, technical craftsmanship and the endless dialogue between art, their atelier and the Dior woman.
In a set designed by Trofymenko, which featured a tree of life reimagined as blooming bouquet of flowers (including Christina Dior’s favourite: the rose), intricately embroidered evening wear, broderie anglaise gowns and elevated use of delicate materials like tulle and silk sauntered down the runway: not an accessory was in sight.
Perhaps Taylor Swift’s ‘folklore’ was the soundtrack in the atelier, with the collection certainly drawing inspiration from bespoke tradition—or perhaps the brand is ushering a new era of traditions, one’s that’s marked in the evolution of the maison’s signature Bar Jacket.
This new iteration of the hip synching marvel sees silk chiffon reinterpret the silhouette with whimsical reverence. Dior is proving this season to the period of cottagecore realness.
“The tree of life is a call, a warning, to make traditions and gestures shine through, allowing us to recover a balance, if only momentarily.” We’ve heard Dior’s cry, we’re calling back.
