Dior shows pleated, sculptural haute couture dresses in Paris after Taylor Swift win

By Helen Reid

PARIS, July 6 (Reuters) – Riding high after securing the bridal commission of the year — designing pop megastar Taylor Swift’s wedding dress — Dior creative director Jonathan Anderson sent shimmering, sheer gowns ​and pleated, sculptural handbags down the runway at the brand’s ‌fall/winter haute couture show in Paris on Monday.

Christian Dior, a flagship label within luxury conglomerate LVMH’s empire, dressed both Swift and her husband Travis Kelce for their New York wedding on Friday, though photos of the outfits have yet to be released.

Front-row ‌guests ​at the haute couture show, including actor Josh ⁠O’Connor, model Alexa Chung and ⁠film director Baz Luhrmann, cooled themselves with black bamboo fans that Dior sent with its invitations. The show took place in the gardens of the Rodin Museum as another heatwave hit France, with temperatures ​topping 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) and set to rise further.

Models emerged onto a black reflective catwalk dotted with large fern plants, and ⁠paraded looks including several constructed entirely of ⁠embroidered silk flowers, exploring Anderson’s theme of nature and ​gardens.

Inspired by the work of American sculptor Lynda Benglis, the collection featured four ​handbags created in collaboration with her. Pleats – a trademark of ‌Benglis’ work – appeared in silk chiffon blouses, trousers, and jackets, while giant blue tulle fans were splayed across the front of a dress.

Anderson, previously creative director at Loewe, often works with artists and had previously featured Benglis’ ⁠sculptures in a show for the Spanish label in 2023.

Dior’s classic Bar jacket was reimagined in fern green tweed with a frayed fringe, or in grey ⁠houndstooth wool draped into ‌a large bow, while another jacket was embroidered ⁠all over with white silk threads.

Coats were also fluid ​and roomy, ‌textured and fringed or featuring dramatic pleats and ​bows. The ⁠grey, white and silver colour palette was punctuated with vibrant greens and blues.

Bags inspired by Benglis were giant and sculptural, in metallic plissé, while shoes were decorated with floral embellishments or pleated metal bows.

Jewellery included pieces designed by artisans in Jaipur, India, according to the show notes.

(Reporting by Helen Reid, Editing ​by Ros Russell)