Luxury house DIOR unveiled its Cruise 2024 Collection, that pays tribute to Mexico’s cultural heritage and its famed artist Frida Kahlo, on May 21st, at the Colegio de San Ildefonso in Mexico City. The iconic figure of Frida Kahlo remains a powerful connection to this culture, which is celebrated at the core of the Dior Cruise 2024 collection. The Mexican artist transcended her body through her garments, which became symbol, declaration, proclamation, and affirmation. Through a series of prints, a cocoon case concealing a butterfly metamorphosed into a motif with multiple shades and forms, resembling a jewel case for a shattered body. The pieces also feature moths based on a drawing by Andrée Brossin de Méré, taken from the brand’s archives. Designer Maria Grazia Chiuri drew inspiration from photographs of Frida Kahlo breaking gender norms. Frida began wearing a men’s three-piece suit at the age of nineteen, transgressing her femininity to assert an independence above all intellectual. Suits thus pay homage to her style, while, in contrast, voluminous skirts are paired with the huipil, a traditional tunic from Tehuana.
For this new collection, the designer once again forged strong connections with talented local artisans. Their expertise is exemplified by their original embroideries, which are co-creations with their ateliers, and embellish dresses and shirts in particular. The collection features a pink dress resembling one that Frida Kahlo wore in one of her self-portraits. The captivating beauty of fragility is further enhanced by the variety of cotton, hemp and silk lace selected, by the meticulous designs of the collars sublimating the jersey and black velvet, and by the butterfly-like jacquards. Velvet is reintroduced in a mesmerizing color palette on pleated skirts that accentuate the hips before flaring into corollas.
Discover every look from the collection in the gallery below:
Take a closer look at the show’s scenography:
