STUDIO 325

Dior's first campaign under Raf Simons

What do you think of Dior's latest campaign? It is the first ready-to-wear campaign under the creative directorship of Raf Simons. Willy Vanderperre has shot Daria Strokous, Daiane Conteratio, Nicole Pollard, Anna Martynova and Marie Piovesan in a simple, minimal campaign reminiscent of Raf Simons work at Jil Sander and his own label.

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Labels: Dior, Fashion, Fashion Campaign, Fashion Collection, Raf Simons

Raf Simons' Dior Debut

Set to a floral backdrop, not to mention the fashion world waiting with baited breath, Raf Simons debuted his first collection for Christian Dior at Paris Fashion Week on Monday. It was the snakes and ladders of fashion, with Raf Simons rising from Jil Sander to Dior, and John Galliano falling down from favour after an anti-semitic rant in 2011. The haute couture collection showed references to Simons' last show for Jil Sander (see here), with cashmere pink, blood red and navy blue bodiced dresses and 1950's shaped coats. A welcome simplicity and return to form.

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Labels: Fashion, Fashion Collection, Jil Sander, Paris, Paris Fashion Week, Raf Simons

Raf Simons last show for Jil Sander- AW12 Milan Fashion Week

This was the last collection of Raf Simons for Jil Sander, where he will go next is unknown (perhaps Dior, perhaps to concentrate on his own line), so the show understandably had a feeling of an end of an era, but also an excitement for new beginnings. The collection in typical Simons style was characterised by elegance and simplicity, with a pretty colour palette and calm, minimal shapes. Collarless cashmere coats were two-toned, with a light pink exterior and a pale cream interior, whilst dresses seemed inspired by vintage lingerie. The simplicity in the detail and the level of craftsmanship was the real winner; the clothes were well structured and beautifully made. And for someone who has had no formal training in womenswear, and who joined the brand with experience solely in menswear, this clearly is the beginning and not the end for Raf Simons.

Images: Vogue France

Set in the Milan showroom, designed by Gabellini Associates, the collection was set to a romantic backdrop of seven perspex plinths, encasing bouquets by Antwerp-based florist Marc Calle.