Dior hosted its spectacular Cruise 2022 (Resort 2022) collection at the home of the modern Olympics, the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, the ancient marble stadium that once accommodated up to 70,000 spectators and was home to the first-ever Olympics in 1830.
A spectacular display in front of more than 700 guests – Anya Taylor-Joy, Catherine Deneuve, Suki Waterhouse and Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou were among the VIPs – marking the first major runway show with an audience since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Maria Grazia Chiuri’s starting point was a series of photographs from 1951 of a couture collection by Mr. Dior himself, taken near the Pantheon.
Inspired by the setting and by ancient Greek mythology, the collection was filled with beautiful draped goddess gowns (traditionally named “peplos”, the robe traditionally worn by women in ancient Greece), which were given a modern sporty spin, paired with athleisure staples and futuristic sneakers, which also channelled the athletic nature of the Olympics.
There was an abundance of Hellenic glamour, too, in the form of white tailoring and gowns inspired by the likes of Marlene Dietrich.
In line with recent tradition, the brand also used the event to showcase the creativity of local artists and artisans. Dior tapped the tailor Aristeidis Tzonevraki to create a bespoke embroidered Book Tote and Bar Jacket; the Soufli-based factory Silk Line to produce the house’s signature stripe and houndstooth motifs using a traditional weaving technique; Atelier Tsalavoutas to create traditional caps worn by Hydriot fisherman; and Athenian artist Christiana Soulou to illustrate seven mythological figures, which appeared on a silky fil coupé jacquard bias-cut gown worn with sneakers.