Know Wear

Christian Dior Haute Couture by Raf Simons
Screencaps from Diormag.com

I don't remember feeling this much anticipation about a collection since Tom Ford left Gucci and YSL in 2004. It was evident, I thought, that Raf Simons would not disappoint even at switching from the clean and architectural Jil Sander to the grand and dramatic Dior. And so it was. It would be silly to try and compare Simons and John Galliano but we saw a very special type of couture yesterday that we would have never seen from the latter – modern, 21st century couture. This is what Raf Simons created in less than 20 minutes.
It was such an incredible feeling seeing the new looks – how apt  an expression – walk down the flower-flanked catwalk. The traces of Simons work were so evident in everything from the clean architectural shapes to the delicate powder hues and yet there they were, the 'New Look' and the 'Bar Jacket' almost like time hadn't passed since the 40's.
My favourite numbers were the sheer spandex-like tops with voluminous full skirts that made up gowns. It was almost like Raf was trying to humour me – his SS11 collection for Jil Sander will always be one of my fashion highlights. My other favourite were the trousers. It's so rare to see any at the couture shows but they feel so natural worn with embroidered peplum tops or trailed strapless blouses.
I am, once again, happy and glad that we'll be enjoying Simons at his best for a while.