Couture Fashion Week: Christian Dior

It was a fabulous nod to the 50's at yesterday's Christian Dior Haute Couture show, which began with a monochrome palette before introducing pops of colours with red.

Model's walked to Lana Del Ray's video games with slick side parted bobs, elbow length gloves and a variety of court shoes.  Bill Gaytten stepped away from the looks we are used to by his 'predecessor' John Galliano by showing a collection rich with cinched waists, peplum details and pencil skirts before introducing some of the most fabulous and wearable ball gowns we have seen in a while.

The collection was undoubtedly a nod to the House of Dior's former days, such as the 'New Look' made famous when the brand first began, and with the last twelve months taking a lot of inspiration of the 50's (consider the hype over My Week With Marilyn and Mad Men) it could hardly have been more appropriate.

"It's meant to be x-ray Dior. All the structure of Iconic Dior, thanks to lots of fittings - but all see through" The current Creative Director said after the show.

With the Galliano controversy still causing a big debate in the fashion industry, this collection of highly wearable dresses can only be a good thing, right?

 

 

From Jil Sander to Dior?

Well hear is an ending no one saw coming.  After months of whispers that Marc Jacobs was headed to take over the helm of french fashion giant Christian Dior after John Gallianos highly publicized rants, it appears that Jil Sanders creative director Raf Simons is to take the job instead.

Vuitton or Dior?

WWD reported earlier this morning that Christian Dior are currently closing the deal with the Belgian born designer, and are focusing on the final details including how much notice must be worked at Jil Sander and so on.

Galliano Guilty

Simons, known for his minimalism, is said to have been the second choice after negotiations between Dior and American designer broke down after Jacobs huge salary demands and his wish to take his entire design team from Vuitton over to Dior.

More to follow...

Galliano Guilty

A Parisienne court has today found John Galliano guilty of making anti Semitic and racist comments at a french cafe in February. Although he faced up to 6 months in prison, the 50 year old designer was given two suspended fines totaling €6000 instead.  He did not attend the verdict.


Galliano was charged with two public outbursts in the French capital, the first in October of last year, he verbally abuse 47 year old English teach Faitha Oummedor, calling her a 'fucking ugly, dirty Jewish bastard' .  He then launched a similar assault on museum curator Geraldine Bloch, in the same cafe, calling her a 'dirty whore' and a 'dirty Jewish face'.  The same week as the incident in February Galliano was then filmed on a mobile camera tell two Italian women 'I love Hitler' and that their ancestors should have been gassed.

Whilst he may have escaped a prison sentence, he received punishment in other ways.  Face of Dior's Miss Cherie perfume, Natalie Portman spoke out against Galliano saying “I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano’s comments that surfaced today. In light of this video, and as an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr. Galliano in any way. I hope at the very least, these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combating these still-existing prejudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful,” He was later sacked from French fashion giant Christian Dior, a brand that he was credited with the ' revitalization of'.  


Galliano claimed the misuse of Valium, Alcohol and Anti - Depressants after the death of a close friend was to blame for his actions.

Philo For Vuitton?

Two weeks ago news broke that Bernard Arnault had handpicked Marc Jacobs to replace John Galliano at the helm of Louis Vuitton.  Something that was neither confirmed or denied by the fashion designer.  Today WWD has added more to the rumour mill by adding that Marc Jacobs is now officially in negotiations with the fashion giant this week.

Another rumour that has also emerged is that Phoebe Philo, a British designer best know for her work with Chloe and currently the creative director of Celine, is set to take over Louis Vuitton should Marc Jacobs choose to move.

All three companies, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and Celine as well as Marc Jacobs are owned by fashion conglomerate LVMH.

More to follow.

Alaia Turns Down Dior

There's been much speculation for the past few months over who is to replace Galliano after his uncerimonious departure from French fashion house Christian Dior.  Many names where thrown around, such as Riccardo Tisci and Alber Elbaz, even Sarah Burton.  Today the Financial Times reported that the name that was on NOBODIES lips has already declined the position - Azzedine Alaia.

I remember the first time hearing his name - in Clueles when Cher is being mugged and told to lie on the floor she protests 'but this is an Alaia' about her dress.  Around the same time he stopped showing his collections the way that most designers do, instead preffering to showcase them privately to buyers in his own showroom, much the way that designers such as Tom Ford does now.

With celebrities such as Victoria Beckham announcing him as their favourite designers, it is no suprise that he was selected for the job.  It appears that he has turned it down partly due to his age (the tunisian designer is in his 70's) and the fact that his company is part owned by Richmont (rival of CD parent compan LVMH).

Whilst it has come as a suprise that Alaia selected the job, it makes people all the more curious as to who will eventuall come to replace Galliano