By Madeleine Foster
Courtesy of Dior
Maria Grazia Chiuri took to the dramatic landscapes of Scotland yesterday, unveiling her latest Resort collection for Dior. Set against the backdrop of Drummond Castle Gardens in Perthshire, the collection was an homage to Scotland's rich heritage, weaving together romance, gothic influences, and mythical elements.
This show marked a significant return for Dior to Scotland, nearly 70 years after their last show in the country at the Gleneagles Hotel in 1955. featuring an intriguing blend of classic Dior silhouettes, the collection was filled with flowing gowns and tailored jackets reimagined with touches of Scottish flair. Tartan patterns and thistle motifs were also key to the collection, with black leather gloves and nods to medieval unicorn tapestries hinting at a darker, more mysterious side. Elsewhere, sheer lace was coupled with leather corsets, whilst floor-length gowns cascaded down the stone staircase.
Courtesy of Dior
Playfully subverting expectations, Chiuri adorned garments with phrases like "nag" and "bossy," terms often used to demean women but here presented for women to reclaim and redefine. The runway also saw models wearing a maximalist mix of accessories, from pearl chokers and hairpieces to belts, harnesses, hoods, bracelets, embellished bags, berets, veils, and the collection's signature touch: argyle knee socks.
Chiuri masterfully balanced tradition with innovation. The chilly Perthshire air saw guests bundled in fall attire and Dior blankets, while the show simultaneously celebrated the beauty and history of Scotland.