Dior's magic is the stuff of fairytales. From its embrace of the feminine mystique to an international, all-star fanbase that includes its newest face, Jisoo of Blackpink, to supernatural growth in sales in 2020 despite a global pandemic, the fashion house knows the power of storytelling. For its fall-winter 2021 collection, creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri delved into childlike folklore, this time in the literal form. The aim wasn't to plop an inaccessible fantasy unrelated to our modern times, but to use it as an impetus to rediscover modern sentiments. As the show notes explained, a fairytale "serves to challenge and revisit stereotypes and archetypes. It consists of a narrative projected into the future."
The future as predicted by Chiuri removes the cartoonish aspect of our beloved childhood fables and never ventures into kitsch; There are direct references in subtle forms, but it's never misinterpreted as Disney fodder. Because who doesn't want to dress like a princess? A red cape in the style of Little Red Riding Hood is a standout look intended for grown-ups, while gowns in oceanic ombre and harlequin prints seems fit for a mermaid, the Queen of Hearts, or the red carpet. Dior's iconic Bar Jacket is revisited as uniforms for toy soldiers. A rose motif is highlighted throughout the collection in memory of Beauty and the Beast—Jean Cocteau's adaptation to be specific, a film loved by Chiuri. The collection playfully reads like a compilation of storybooks, neatly captured in 64 looks.
As with almost every presentation this season, the show lacked an in-person runway, but still had famed guests virtually seated in its front row. Attendees watched from the comfort of their own homes, decked out in Dior, featuring the likes of Suki Waterhouse, Bae Suzy, and Chriselle Lim (who gave us inside access over at ELLE's Instagram). We predict that by the time in-person events return, we'll see our favorite celebrities decked out as Belle and Ariel.
All the Looks from Dior's Fall-Winter 2021 Collection
Justine Carreon is the market editor at ELLE.com covering fashion, Dutch ovens, and fashion again. When she isn’t approaching style through a modern, accessible lens, she’s scouring eBay for vintage Levi’s and pretending she knows how to surf. Before joining ELLE.com in 2015 she worked as a freelance writer and stylist in New York City.
