Staff Writer
Dior converted Mumbai’s grand, ancient Gateway of India structure into a runway packed with fame, beauty, and craftsmanship on Thursday in a sparkling display of high fashion.
Models queued up to display the Paris fashion house’s 2023 pre-fall collection as the heritage landmark in India’s entertainment and commercial capital was flanked by the brightly lit, renowned Taj Mahal Hotel thanks to the stunning decor.
Indian creativity and craftsmanship took center stage in the collection designed by creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri as the runway was lined with traditional Indian flower patterns and echoed with fusion beats from live musicians.
turns Mumbai’s Gateway of India into a runway for fashion
The collection included sari-inspired skirts, silk dresses, and evening coats that referred to conventional Indian designs. The concert began with a variety of neutral colors, gently changed to forest green, and then burst into a riot of vibrant hues and patterns.
Most of the models had pearl necklaces around their necks the entire time.
“I personally wanted to celebrate and showcase the incredible knowledge India offers to the international fashion world in the field of embroidery, the mastery of the artisans who continue to work on this craft, and the commitment of Chanakya’s founders to preserving India’s history and culture, portrayed by each embroidery technique,” Chiuri said in an Instagram post.
Through the Mumbai-based atelier Chanakya, which collaborates with craftsmen and impoverished women, Dior has a long-standing relationship with India. The presentation renewed attention on the high-end fashion sector in India, where renowned Western design houses like Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent, and Valentino had previously shown their collections.
India has always been renowned for its complex embroidery art, lavish textiles, and decorations. Its economy is currently the fifth largest in the world. With a growing number of uber-rich people and a young, ambitious middle class with easy access to the internet, it is quickly becoming a significant market for international fashion names.
Numerous Indian fashion designers have also established retail locations in major fashion hubs like New York and Dubai, where they have been showing their collections during global fashion weeks.
Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark in the television series “Game of Thrones,” Freida Pinto, Simone Ashley, and Sonam Ahuja Kapoor were among the famous people present at the Dior show.
