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Demystifying Dior Ready-to-Wear
PARIS, October 5 - I've often wondered what the
line of financiers that stretch along the front row of Dior Ready-to-Wear
shows must be thinking. These grave men, plus one young woman, are not
generally talkative, and so - who knows for sure?
Perhaps they are observing each new handbag and shoe that passes down the
catwalk - something, in other words, to bring home the bacon. It's not
surprising that the Dior Avenue Montaigne boutique, like Hermès
and most other Parisian Houses, accepts hard cash in US dollars, yen and
rubles up to an equivalent 3,000 Euro max.
Dior's finances have always been veiled in a sort of mystery. Christian
Dior Perfume, which makes lots of money, is the only part of the house
directly held by luxury conglomerate LVMH. Christian Dior Couture (haute
couture, women's and men's ready-to-wear, and accessories) also makes money,
and is helped along by the fact that it owns 21% of LVMH, and thus shares
in Louis Vuitton's profits, as well as those of Christian Dior Perfume.
So, you begin to wonder if clothes even count. The Ready-to-Wear line that
John Galliano sends down the runway each season is probably meant to attract
attention as much as to attract buyers.
There was nothing at Tuesday's show to make you think otherwise. Take a
magenta micro-skirt with ruffles slashed off so high it would need matching
panties. Pair that with a black kimono top emblazoned with a drugged out
mermaid. Add a white-feathered hat and against that backdrop, only the
purse and sunglasses really stood out.
Elsewhere, memories of a 70s peace and love-in were manifested in turquoise
tank tops reading "Dior Not War" and stamped with a pink fist. White silk
slacks smelted with gold, and accessorized with a gilt purse, rounded out
that ensemble. And for the beach, try a sea-foam green bikini with matching
majestic cope trimmed in plumes.
If references to a distant anti-war era were not complete, Elvis Presley's
granddaughterRiley Keough took her turn on the catwalk.
With the recipe working, and profits rising, it sure looks like smooth
sailing as far as the eye can see.
When John takes the catwalk nowadays, trailed by his conspicuous bodyguards,
one is left to wonder what danger could possibly be lurking inside the
Dior tent.
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