Shows S/S 2021 RTW
Christian Dior Spring 2021 Ready-to-Wear
YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUbPO4tzPO0
The Looks
…the most important piece! The show opens with easy casual designs in shades of yellow, cream, black, and orange in exquisite prints. Elevated lounge wear. Fitting for the times. Unconventional for Dior.
These are my four favourite looks for this part of the show. Give me a maxi dress or a kimono, and I’m in love.
The embellishment of these two dresses – MUAH! [Kisses fingertips] While they are see-through, which I often find raunchy, I find these to be elegant and sophisticated.
Then the show moves into denim blue shades with off white. Keeping with the pandemic derived theme, these pieces are more business casual: structured but not restrictive, and lighted cinched at the waist, aligned with classic Dior.
Below are my faves from this part of the show. The 3/4 sleeve length jacket on the top left is spectacular. It is simple but makes a statement in its simplicity, rich with colour. And I love 3/4 sleeves any day!
The third part of the show moves into the most beautiful hues in every shade. Muted, yet bold.
My picks from these looks below. I instantly fell in love with the teal colour of the dress on the top left and the bold print of the dress on the top right.
The Ambience
The runway is a simple customary box shape, lined with the semblance of stained-glass mosaics, reflective of a church. I like it. The snippets of photos in the panels add colour and lightness to the show. The music, however, I could do without. It is very distracting, and not in a good way. I recommend watching without sound. Watching it with the sound almost made the clothes appear uglier somehow… Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri often has messages in her shows and, while I didn’t love the music selection, I do appreciate that!
Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2021 Ready-to-Wear
YouTube Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFoxFSl6S_M
The Looks
It cannot go unnoticed the vivid colour and patterning that Dolce & Gabbana (D&G) use throughout this collection. Patchwork was the theme of the day! Yet somehow it wasn’t overwhelming or gaudy. It was reminiscent of the 1990s in a fresh modern way.
Dresses to suit every preference: mini or midi, A-line or pencil, sleeveless or long sleeve.
Despite the eye-catching garments, I could not help but notice the chunky and layered necklaces. Perfect way to elevate a white shirt!
It would appear that the designers deviated from their usual signature. However, D&G’s singular styles, including leopard print and underwear as outerwear, were threaded nicely into the show.
They included a handful of solid colours and black & white looks throughout, almost like a palette cleanser.
The Ambience
D&G used a customary T-shaped runway. In a striking difference from Dior, however, D&G’s stage was a super colourful patchwork in myriad patterns and designs. The entire venue was covered. The designers wanted to pay homage to Italian craftsmanship and provide a feeling of hope and optimism[1]. It showed and I loved this show!
Chanel Spring 2021 Ready-to-Wear
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVmqagGDv28
The Looks
The palette was almost entirely black, white, and pale pink – very traditional Chanel. The designs were a mix of romantic dresses – flowy and easy – and the signature Chanel suit modernized, as the four looks below reflect.
Below, I loved the wide leg pants in non-traditional separate style suiting with the chain belts. Kudos to Chanel for using a size-inclusive model (below left). You’re probably thinking that I’m seeing things… but trust me when I tell you, she is not a “sample size”. And she rocked it! I would love to see more of this on the runways, especially in Europe (North American designers have been more enthusiastic about size-inclusive shows).
Finally, below are probably my two favourite looks from the show (not that I ever could wear either of them). The plunging neckline and sidelines of the jumpsuit on the right also comes in black 😉
Notes
[1] Vogue.com writer Nicole Phelps https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2021-ready-to-wear/dolce-gabbana
* All photos taken from https://vogue.com/fashion-shows