The first “real” show of the season was organized by the House of Dior for Shanghai Fashion Week. Maria Grazia Chiuri showed the brand’s Pre-Fall 2021 collection in front of 1000 guests – including Zhang Ziyi, Carina Lau, Ora Yang, TFBoys’ Karry Wang, and the pianist Li Yundi – on a circular set decked out set inside the Long Museum West Bund with high-contrast leopard print and dozens of giant disco balls. The show was also live streamed to over 100 million viewers via nine social media channels.
It marked the first time the fashion house has staged a runway show for a women’s pre-collection. It was the only major European brand to be included in the official Shanghai Fashion Week schedule.
Inspired by the life of Andy Warhol, the ’50s-style silhouettes, the Dior archives, the acid-bright colors drawn from the universe of Pop Art and her friends like Fiorucci and Edie Sedgwick, the collection encouraged carefree joy and fun and giving in to those inner desires to dance after such an emotional year. On the catwalks of China’s fashion capital, the models paraded down to the tune of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love“, and there could be no better soundtrack.
Although the leopard motif is not necessarily a direct synonym to the Dior style, a spotted trench coat was found in the archive, probably a tribute to the figure of Mitzah Bricard, the Maison’s chief milliner, who venerated the leopard print and considered it part of her everyday look. Mr. Dior’s iconic leopard print jacket was a stand-out, combined with other styles ranging from chiffon dresses to casual pants to Book Tote bags. It was a true fashion statement in the 1950s.
The sequined outfits sparkled on the disco stage in a variety of reflective colors while metallics continued to appear throughout the pieces including jumpsuits, vests and jackets.
Following colorful variations of Dior’s iconic Oblique print found on street-ready anoraks and accessories, the collection closed with tulle pieces accentuated with oversized sequins giving a mirror ball-like effect.