Christian Dior once said, “Individuality will always be one of the conditions of real elegance.” The late French fashion designer’s wisdom is reflected in the Couture Spring 2021 Dior Fashion Collection; inspired by a deck of tarot cards from the fifteenth century, the 45-piece collection has a distinctly timeless and elegant feel, which certainly would have made Dior proud.
Spearheaded by Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior’s Creative Director, the pieces in the Spring 2021 collection pay homage to the Visconti-Sforza deck — a deck of tarot cards designed by Italian artist Bonifacio Bembo that are more than 600 years old, adorned with gilded depictions of Italian royalty and stunningly painted wildlife.
Chiuri tastefully juxtaposes ornate fabrics of varying textures and weights such as velvet and jacquard, evoking a celestial and luxurious feeling in the fashion line. Although every outfit in the 45-piece collection is meticulously crafted and exquisitely intricate in detail, Look 43 is undoubtedly the shining star of the lineup. The floor-length dress is constructed from shimmering, sheer Robin-egg blue fabric (organza or perhaps chiffon) with a classic A-line silhouette, bishop sleeves, and horizontal ruching that accentuates the waistline. Shining beads resembling stars are stitched throughout the dress, and a hooded cape in the same sheer fabric — reminiscent of Red Riding Hood or perhaps medieval cultist witches — completes the monochromatic look.
In contrast, Look 18 falls slightly short from the high standard placed by the rest of the collection. A black two-piece velvet suit complemented by a simple white dress shirt and a matching black beret, this outfit exudes sophistication. Yet, compared to the rest of the lineup, especially the celestial and mystical motifs that dominate companion looks, it feels too traditional, even boring.
The Spring 2021 Dior Couture Collection draws inspiration from the European Renaissance and exemplifies grace and refinement. The collection transports the audience from the depths of the Italian countryside to stone torch-lit halls of a French castle. With this line, Dior makes us believe in magic once again.
Looks 43, 18, 1, and 22 of the Dior Spring 2021 Couture Collection. Photos courtesy of Dior
