To a future-tribal soundtrack, on an industrial set, under fake snowfall, Raf Simons presented a slick collection for the Esprit Dior show in Tokyo. The French house was showing its first-ever Pre-Fall show in front of 1,400 people at one of Japan’s most famous sumo wrestling arenas. The sheer number of textures, colours, layers and shapes was awesome, and miraculously combined to create perfect harmony. The fact that Simons made sequins desirable through sparkly turtlenecks was one of the biggest examples of his skill as a designer: they were delicately done, sleek and sexy, allowing for a new perspective on what was once a naff party cliché. Floor-length, wide-leg white trousers made legs look like long planks of wood and raincoats appeared to be cast out of liquid metal. Neon yellow, scarlet, white and silver popped, but was played down by dark green, maroon and browns. It was an impressive display of utter design and aesthetic confidence. Make-up (otherworldly strips on eyes) was by Peter Philips and hair (Princess Leia plaits) by Guido Palau. Check out our exclusive backstage images below.
Credits
Text Stuart Brumfitt
Images courtesy Dior