On the international fashion calendar, May is considered the cruise season. In May, the world’s most successful fashion houses compete to outdo one another with their flamboyant runway productions in extensive destinations around the world, spending millions in the process. Dior launched its latest collection 2018 Cruise Collection Calabasas California on May 11th, 2017. Dior premiered an epic collection in Los Angeles, with other designers like Tommy Hilfiger’s Tommy x Gigi Collection, Rebecca Minkoff, and Rachel Comey. The 800-plus guests included Rihanna, Freida Pinto, Demi Moore, and Charlize Theron.
The show was the first of it’s kind for Dior’s new artistic director, Maria Grazia Chiuri. The location i.e. the desert landscape and natural California elements, inspired the collection, with handcrafted details, artisanal touches – fur, shearling, feathers, fringe – and rich desert colors.
SANTA MONICA, CA – MAY 11: Actor Charlize Theron attends the Christian Dior Cruise 2018 Runway Show at the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve on May 11, 2017 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)
SANTA MONICA, CA – MAY 11: Actor Charlize Theron attends the Christian Dior Cruise 2018 Runway Show at the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve on May 11, 2017 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)
Seen at the location were large tents in a circle, bonfires and metal trailers that were camouflage for full-service bars. Two hot-air balloons on the horizon, advertising Dior’s Sauvage cologne, with the sun setting precisely behind them.
Inspired by the 20,000-year-old primitive wall painting in the Lascaux Cave, the collection featured primitive printed dresses, chunky tassel-trimmed knits, and western-style hats with the models in rugged lace-up boots. The designs were a big shift from their recent couture collection with sheer and tulle gowns. The collection was in line with Dior’s design style, but with a Western element as the models walked down in suede cowboy hats, and leather and suede jackets and were adorned with leather bracelets, belts, and chokers.
There were desert brocade bustier dresses and suede fringed Bar jackets worn over full skirts and ruggedly chic hiking boots and chunky fringed knit cardigans with human patterns. There were colorful feathered dresses, earth-toned robes, leather moto jackets over embroidered tulle skirts, a rainbow patchwork dress, denim, fur vests done in cave patterns.
It was a risky step to put up a Cruise Collection, no doubt, but Chiuri braved it wisely and quite courageously.
