Paris Reimagined with Dior's Spring/Summer 2023 Ready-to-Wear Show

Maria Grazia Chiuri has delivered yet again. During her creative process for Dior's SS23 collection, Chiuri looked to the house's archives and discovered an image of a map of Paris printed on a scarf and structured around the Avenue Montaigne. 

There, she took inspiration from her life as an Italian in France, as well as drew experiences from Italian noblewoman turned French queen Catherine de Medici – who shared a similar story with Chiuri, the collection was crafted based on autobiography, reflection, and influence. "The idea was to play with this reference and how much fashion and power are in dialogue," said Chiuri in a statement.

True enough to the power of modern Dior women who let the clothes they wear speak for themselves, the collection reimagines stylish innovations launched during de Medici's time, such as heels, the corset, and Burano lace, as introduced to the royal manufacturers back in the day. 

Despite SS23's ensembles being heavily influenced by the looks of the past, Chiuri views fashion as a reflection of the times, creating pieces for the women of today to wear and feel unstoppable in. As such, the designer upgrades the olden garments of the Court with the contemporary. 

The result? Traditional corsets are upgraded with a quasi-geometric shape that frames the bust perfectly, silhouettes are formed with lace, embroidery, and other structured materials that are reminiscent of the wide skirts worn at the court of Catherine de Medici, and raffia coats are accentuated with floral and bird motifs. 

Take a look at the rest of the collection below: