Dior
Credit: Brigitte Niedermair

For Spring/Summer 2023, Dior‘s inimitable Maria Grazia Chiuri explored feminine power via reinterpreting the wardrobe of 16th century Italian noblewoman-come-French Queen Catherine de Medici.

Medici’s influence in court was a combination of her intelligence on all things political and sartorial. An early adopter of high-heeled shoes, Medici – who was the Queen of France from 1547-1559 – introduced corsets and Burano lace to Royal manufacturers.

Praised by critics in Paris in September 2022, Dior’s SS23 collection – which included crinolines, gloves, satin, yards of lace and baroque-curved heels – has since been brought to life in a series of shots by renowned photographer Brigitte Niedermair.

In one defining look – a wrap coat midi with wide lapels – Ms. Chiuri was inspired by a map of Paris from the House’s archive (one which has Avenue Montaigne at its centre) and transposes the streets onto the garment. As the House noted back then, it was Ms. Chiuri’s way of showing how fashion redefines the city and the women who navigate it daily.

Elsewhere, you’ll notice a nod to the virtuosity of Dior artisans, their needlework and the Maison’s ancestral savoir-faire, as raffia coats are adorned with delicate flower and bird motifs, as is a new version of the Dior Book Tote. The latter also comes with the Plan de Paris (read: city map) sketch.

Read September’s show report here – and see the key looks via Niedermair up close below.

RELATED: DIOR HAUTE COUTURE SPRING/SUMMER 2023 IS A SARTORIAL CELEBRATION OF JOSÉPHINE BAKER

Dior
Credit: Brigitte Niedermair
dior
Credit: Brigitte Niedermair
dior
Credit: Brigitte Niedermair
dior
Credit: Brigitte Niedermair
dior
Credit: Brigitte Niedermair
dior
Credit: Brigitte Niedermair
dior
Credit: Brigitte Niedermair
dior
Credit: Brigitte Niedermair