Dior's Masterful S/S 21 Campaign

by SHOWstudio on 16 February 2021

Maria Grazia Chiuri takes inspiration from the 17th century master painter Caravaggio for Dior's latest campaign.

Maria Grazia Chiuri takes inspiration from the 17th century master painter Caravaggio for Dior's latest campaign.

The Dior woman finds herself in a Baroque tableaux for the S/S 21 campaign. It follows in the spirit of the live-streamed show which took place in the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris last September, where models took to the runway against a backdrop of 18 stained glass windows created by the Florence-based artist Lucia Marcucci. Tradition was infused with the modern-day feminism we've come to expect from Chiuri; the windows were in fact a light installation featuring political slogans and found imagery, whilst iconic Dior silhouettes received an update for the clothes. The accompanying campaign presents the collection in new light, by drawing on the magnetic drama of the 17th century painter Caravaggio.

Dior S/S 21, photograph Elina Kechicheva

Models are presented in tableaux for the Dior S/S 21 campaign, as they relax amongst flickering candles, grapes and drapery - all devices one will find in a Caravaggio work. A defining artist of the Baroque period in Italy, Caravaggio's exaggerated take on the chiaroscuro ('light dark') technique often incorporated a single light source to bring his oil paintings of religious scenes to life, with the light directing our eye straight to the action, such as in the infamous Supper at Emmaus (1601). Now, in a series of carefully framed scenes lensed by Elina Kechicheva, daylight enters from an unseen light source, revealing Dior S/S 21.

Dior S/S 21, photograph Elina Kechicheva

The Dior women become modern icons, with a wardrobe fit to worship. This season's tie dye anorak finds itself at home alongside the Dior book tote, as do Chiuri's staple embroideries and this season's paisley motifs, muses are accessorised with double strap leather belts and turbans. You'd be forgiven for mistaking the striking photographs as paintings ready for hanging in the Louvre.

Dior S/S 21, photograph Elina Kechicheva

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