CASTLECORE

CREATIVE DIRECTION: DANÉ STOJANOVIC
PHOTOGRAPHY: LOLA MANSELL
FASHION DIRECTION: ANNA CASTAN
HAIR: MIWA MOROKI
MAKEUP: JEANNE SALORD
SET DESIGN: MARIE MALVINSKAIA
PRODUCER: JEAN-MARC MONDELET
LIGHTING ASSISTANT: HERMINE WERNER
FASHION ASSISTANT: GABRIELA CAMBERO
MODEL: BEANS / WOMEN360
BEAUTY: DIOR BEAUTY
WORDS: PEMA BAKSHI

Once described as being as much “a victim of the pen as the executioner’s axe”, the life of Mary, Queen of Scots was marred by tragedy, smothered by ill-fated unions, and punctuated by the feminine will of a born ruler.

Enthroned as Scotland’s ruler as a baby following her father’s death, Mary had been queen for all but the first six days of her life. She was raised in France but returned to reign over her homeland during a time of great religious and political revolt. Tensions culminated in her forced abdication in 1567, when she became a prisoner of her cousin Queen Elizabeth I of England for almost two decades before her 1587 execution.

Though her rule was fraught with upheaval and turmoil, her years in confinement emboldened her to speak her piece any way that she could. As the marginalised have always done, both before and since her time, she found craft to be a fruitful avenue of dissent, turning to needlework to convey various symbolic messages. In this, she could proliferate her own testimony amid reductions to a tragic heroine or corrupted seductress. Despite the events of her life, the facts of her considered rule speak for themselves. In all she did, there was agency over the circumstances and conviction in the face of the unimaginable.

Undoubtedly, Chiuri recognised something familiar in this defiant spirit and also uses her craft to express her point of view.

A collaboration with Le Kilt pays homage to the rugged beauty of the queen’s homeland, featuring scores of remixed tartan. In merging Tudor-style details such as crinoline skirts, puffed tapered sleeves and contemporary ruffs with notes of armour such as lamellar-like bodices, pleats and utilitarian accessories, Dior captures the duality of a ruler at odds with her time. With Cruise 2025, Chiuri even channels her own quiet battlecry in statement pieces depicting words including ‘emotional’, ‘bossy’, and ‘moody’, typically launched at the very women leading the charge.

“CASTLECORE” IS PUBLISHED IN THE 20TH EDITION OF GRAZIA INTERNATIONAL. ORDER YOUR COPY HERE.

BROOCH, CHRISTIAN DIOR, SHOP SIMILAR

QUILTED TECHNICAL TAFFETA MACROCANNAGE CAPE, SHOP SIMILAR, TECHNICAL FABRIC CORSET DRESS, SHOP SIMILAR, STUDDED COTTON HOODED SWEATER, SHOP SIMILAR, CHRISTIAN DIOR

FLORALE TULLE EMBROIDERED BLOUSE, SHOP SIMILAR, COTTON VELVET CORSET, SHOP SIMILAR, CABINET DE CURIOSITÉ FISHNET EMBROIDERED BALLOON SKIRT, SHOP SIMILAR, D-FIGHT BOOTS IN CALFSKIN WITH STRETCH LEATHER-EFFECT SOCKS AND GOLDEN CHRISTIAN DIOR PARIS SIGNATURE, SHOP SIMILAR, CHOKER, SHOP NOW, CHRISTIAN DIOR

CHECK‘N’DIOR TECHNICAL TAFFETA LONG DRESS, SHOP SIMILAR, CHECK‘N’DIOR TECHNICAL TAFFETA SHORTS, SHOP SIMILAR, CHRISTIAN DIOR

D-SOCIETY BABIES IN CALFSKIN WITH WHITE PEARLS AND SILVER STUDS AND GOLDEN CHRISTIAN DIOR PARIS SIGNATURE, CHRISTIAN DIOR, SHOP SIMILAR

CHECK‘N’DIOR VIRGIN WOOL SHORT PEACOAT, SHOP SIMILAR, CHECK‘N’DIOR VIRGIN WOOL CORSET, SHOP SIMILAR, PLUMETIS FISHNET COTTON BALLOON SKIRT, SHOP NOW, STUDDED COTTON HOODED SWEATER, SHOP SIMILAR, DIOR SYMBOL BEE BRACELETS IN SILVER FINISHING ANTIQUE METAL AND WHITE FRESHWATER PEARLS, SHOP SIMILAR, CHRISTIAN DIOR

CHECK‘N’DIOR VIRGIN WOOL BOMBER, STUDDED COTTON JERSEY T-SHIRT WITH M.DIOR PATCH, SHOP SIMILAR, CHECK‘N’DIOR VIRGIN WOOL SHORTS, SHOP NOW, D-SCOTS THIGH BOOTS IN CALFSKIN WITH SILVER CHRISTIAN DIOR PARIS SIGNATURE, SHOP SIMILAR, EARRINGS, SHOP SIMILAR, BERET, SHOP NOW, CHRISTIAN DIOR

CHECK‘N’DIOR DRY-HANDLE VIRGIN WOOL TOP, SHOP SIMILAR, MESH TULLE EMBROIDERED TOP WITH BEADED COLLAR, SHOP SIMILAR, CHECK‘N’DIOR DRY-HANDLE VIRGIN WOOL PANTS, SHOP SIMILAR, D-SOCIETY BABIES SHOES IN CALFSKIN WITH WHITE PEARLS AND SILVER STUDS AND GOLDEN CHRISTIAN DIOR PARIS SIGNATURE, SHOP SIMILAR, CHRISTIAN DIOR

DIOR BACKSTAGE GLOW FACE PALETTE IN 006 CELESTIAL GLOW, SHOP NOW, DIOR BACKSTAGE EYE PALETTE IN 004 CELESTIAL PURPLE, SHOP NOW, DIOR FOREVER CUSHION IN 2N NEUTRAL, SHOP NOW, DIOR ADDICT LIPSTICK MIX & MATCH IN 008 DIOR 8, SHOP NOW, L’OR DE J’ADORE, SHOP NOW, DIOR BEAUTY.

THIS SHIMMERING FACE PALETTE ADDS A DOSE OF RADIANCE TO ANY CHEEKBONE.

FAUX FUR COAT, SHOP SIMILAR, COTTON LONG DRESS WITH STUDDED HOOD, SHOP SIMILAR, TRIANGLE BRA, SHOP SIMILAR, CHRISTIAN DIOR

WASHABLE OIL CLOTH JACKET, SHOP SIMILAR, DIOR SCOTLAND MAP WOOL MOHAIR AND COTTON SWEATER, SHOP SIMILAR, QUILTED TECHNICAL TAFFETA MACROCANNAGE MINI SHORTS, SHOP SIMILAR, DIOR SYMBOL BEE CHOKER IN SILVER FINISHING ANTIQUE METAL AND WHITE FRESHWATER PEARLS, SHOP SIMILAR, CHRISTIAN DIOR

DIOR BACKSTAGE GLOW FACE PALETTE IN 006 CELESTIAL GLOW, SHOP NOW, DIOR BACKSTAGE EYE PALETTE IN 002 SMOKY ESSENTIALS, SHOP NOW, DIOR FOREVER CUSHION IN 2N NEUTRAL, SHOP NOW, ROUGE DIOR LIMITED EDITION LIPSTICK IN 284 ROSE BAVARDE, SHOP NOW, L’OR DE J’ADORE, SHOP NOW, DIOR BEAUTY

A SMOKY EYE MAKES FOR POTENT MODERN WARPAINT – NO NEED TO STICK TO CLEAN LINES.

COTTON LONG DRESS WITH STUDDED HOOD, SHOP SIMILAR, TRIANGLE BRA, SHOP SIMILAR, HIGH-WAISTED PANTIES, SHOP SIMILAR, CHRISTIAN DIOR

QUILTED TECHNICAL TAFFETA MACROCANNAGE CAPE, SHOP SIMILAR, TECHNICAL FABRIC CORSET DRESS, SHOP SIMILAR, STUDDED COTTON HOODED SWEATER, SHOP SIMILAR, D-FIGHT BOOTS IN CALFSKIN WITH STRETCH LEATHER-EFFECT SOCKS AND GOLDEN CHRISTIAN DIOR PARIS SIGNATURE, SHOP SIMILAR, CHRISTIAN DIOR

WASHABLE OIL CLOTH JACKET, SHOP SIMILAR, DIOR SCOTLAND MAP WOOL MOHAIR AND COTTON SWEATER, SHOP SIMILAR, D-SCOTS BOOTS IN RUBBER-EFFECT CALFSKIN WITH SILVER CHRISTIAN DIOR PARIS SIGNATURE, CHRISTIAN DIOR, SHOP SIMILAR, CHRISTIAN DIOR

PORCELAIN LACE LONG DRESS, SHOP SIMILAR, CHOKER, SHOP NOW, CHRISTIAN DIOR. DIOR BACKSTAGE GLOW FACE PALETTE IN 006 CELESTIAL GLOW, SHOP NOW, DIOR BACKSTAGE EYE PALETTE IN 004 CELESTIAL PURPLE, SHOP NOW, DIOR FOREVER CUSHION IN 2N NEUTRAL, SHOP NOW, DIOR ADDICT LIPSTICK MIX & MATCH IN 008 DIOR 8, SHOP NOW, L’OR DE J’ADORE, SHOP NOW, DIOR BEAUTY

INSTRUMENTS RADICALLY DIFFER OVER TIME, BUT THE POWER OF A TINTED LIP REMAINS UNDISPUTED.

DIOR SCOTLAND MAP WOOL MOHAIR AND COTTON SWEATER, SHOP SIMILAR, QUILTED TECHNICAL TAFFETA MACROCANNAGE MINI SHORTS, SHOP SIMILAR, EARRINGS, SHOP SIMILAR, CHOKER, SHOP SIMILAR, CHRISTIAN DIOR

CHECK‘N’DIOR VIRGIN WOOL BOMBER, SHOP SIMILAR, STUDDED COTTON JERSEY T-SHIRT WITH M.DIOR PATCH, SHOP SIMILAR, CHECK‘N’DIOR VIRGIN WOOL SHORTS, SHOP SIMILAR, DIOR SYMBOL BELT WITH REMOVABLE POUCH IN CALFSKIN AND SILVER FINISHING ANTIQUE METAL, SHOP SIMILAR, D-SCOTS THIGH BOOTS IN CALFSKIN WITH SILVER CHRISTIAN DIOR PARIS SIGNATURE, SHOP SIMILAR, EARRINGS, SHOP SIMILAR, CHOKER, SHOP NOW, CHRISTIAN DIOR

SUPPLE EEL LEATHER MINI SKIRT, SHOP SIMILAR, D-FIGHT ANKLE BOOTS IN CALFSKIN AND STRETCH LEATHER EFFECT SOCKS WITH GOLDEN CHRISTIAN DIOR PARIS SIGNATURE, SHOP NOW, SOCKS, SHOP SIMILAR, CHRISTIAN DIOR

CHECK‘N’DIOR VIRGIN WOOL CRINOLINE DRESS, SHOP SIMILAR, MESH TULLE EMBROIDERED TOP WITH BEADED COLLAR, SHOP SIMILAR, CHECK‘N’DIOR VIRGIN WOOL SHORTS, SHOP SIMILAR, D-SCOTS BOOTS IN RUBBER-EFFECT CALFSKIN AND SILVER CHRISTIAN DIOR PARIS SIGNATURE, SHOP SIMILAR, CHRISTIAN DIOR

SYMBOL RING, CHRISTIAN DIOR, SHOP NOW

SUPPLE EEL LEATHER JACKET WITH LACE COLLAR, SHOP SIMILAR, SUPPLE EEL LEATHER MINI SKIRT, SHOP SIMILAR, D-FIGHT ANKLE BOOTS IN CALFSKIN WITH STRETCH LEATHER EFFECT SOCKS AND GOLDEN CHRISTIAN DIOR PARIS SIGNATURE, SHOP NOW, EARRINGS, SHOP SIMILAR, RING, SHOP SIMILAR, CHRISTIAN DIOR

QUILTED TECHNICAL TAFFETA MACROCANNAGE CAPE, SHOP SIMILAR, STUDDED COTTON HOODED SWEATER, SHOP SIMILAR, CHRISTIAN DIOR

CHECK‘N’DIOR TECHNICAL TAFFETA LONG DRESS, SHOP SIMILAR, CHECK‘N’DIOR TECHNICAL TAFFETA SHORTS, SHOP SIMILAR, D-FIGHT ANKLE BOOTS IN CALFSKIN WITH STRETCH LEATHER-EFFECT SOCKS AND GOLDEN CHRISTIAN DIOR PARIS SIGNATURE, SHOP SIMILAR, DIOREVOLT CHOKER IN CALFSKIN WITH SILVER FINISHING METAL EYELETS AND WHITE RESIN PEARLS, SHOP NOW, CABINET DE CURIOSITÉS PLASTRON NECKLACE IN GOLD FINISHING METAL AND FRESHWATER PEARLS, SHOP NOW, CHRISTIAN DIOR

COTTON TRENCHCOAT WITH METALLIC RINGS, SHOP SIMILAR, PORCELAIN LACE LONG DRESS, SHOP SIMILAR, CHOKER, SHOP NOW, RING, SHOP SIMILAR, CHRISTIAN DIOR