Christian Dior Is Heading To India

No stranger to jet-setting, Christian Dior womenswear's creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri has flown the fashion set to some pretty exotic locales. From Marrrakech to Seoul, the maison has taken trips around the globe, and is showing no signs of slowing down with this week's announcement that their next ready-to-wear show will take place in India. More specifically, the maison’s A/W 23 womenswear collection which will be presented in front of the historic Gateway of India in Mumbai.

With artisanal craftsmanship at the heart of Chiuri’s design ethos, it should come as no surprise that she would land on India as an inspiration. After all, the country has a rich history of knitting and embroidery. Chiuri previously commissioned two Indian artists, Madhvi and Manu Parekh to create a 3,600-square-foot tapestry to serve as the backdrop for Christian Dior'sS/S 22 haute couture presentation. It was fully embroidered at Mumbai’s Chanakya School of Craft which Chiuri has collaborated closely with several times, including the S/S 20 couture show, where 150 female students created 21 embroidered panels with quotes from American artist Judy Chicago.

The 20th-century monument where the upcoming show will be held, was completed in 1924 to commemorate the arrival of King Emperor George V, who was the first British monarch to ever visit India. Many see this as a reminder of colonialism and the British raj, however the gate is a popular gathering point for locals. It's expected that Chiuri will focus on creating a dialogue with the local, artistic community, whilst also celebrating India's craftspeople who play an essential, yet often exploited, role in fashion production.