Haute Couture Week is officially underway in Paris. The Dior AW24 haute couture collection was presented in memory of Faith Ringgold, an artist, feminist, activist and educator who challenged perceptions of African American identity and gender equality for almost seven decades. Maria Grazia Chiuri showcased paintings from Ringgold's most well-known series, including Freedom Woman Now, Woman Free Yourself and Windows of the Wedding #1: Woman.
Indoors, Woman Free Yourself hangs as banners from the ceiling throughout the space, while 32 life-size mosaics designed as part of Ringgold's Civic Center L.A Subway Commission were recreated as embroideries by the Chanakya School of Craft and displayed along the walls of the space.
The mosaics not only echo the message of female empowerment by depicting women in sport, but tie into the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place in Paris this summer and Maria Grazia Chiuri's inspiration for the collection: female athletes of Ancient Greece.
Draping, pleating and embroidery are the heroes of a collection which is at once the epitome of strength and elegance. Grecian one-shouldered silhouettes are plentiful, as are gladiator sandals and battle-ready fringed skirts. Rewatch the show
