Rabat – Iconic French fashion house Dior chose Marrakech’s historic 16th century El Badi Palace as the backdrop for a fashion show in honor of its Cruise 2020 collection on April 29.
In an Instagram post, the brand explained that creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri chose Marrakech as a location because “the city across centuries has drawn a stream of influential travelers, artists and creatives, from former Dior Creative Director Yves Saint Laurent to novelist and philosopher Albert Camus, photographers Cecil Beaton and Irving Penn, and more.”
Dior tasked local female artisans with the decor of the show, having them make traditional cushions, pottery, carpets, and tableware to create an authentic Moroccan atmosphere. Dior asked for over 250 pieces of pottery alone for the show, which required the work of 4 Anti-Altas tribes and several months. The process was documented in a video uploaded to Dior’s Instagram page.
The partnership between Dior and the rural woman was set up by Sumano, a social project which aims to revive artisan traditions practiced by the women of Moroccan tribes, including weaving, dyeing herbal fabrics and pottery painting.
The fashion house left more than just decor to the local Moroccan artisans, also asking them to create their own version of the iconic Dior opera coat for the show’s opening look. Sumano’s artisans spin on the famous piece was made from 6 handwoven, hand henna painted panels. Dior also showcased the painstaking process on its Instagram page.
The show in Morocco’s “Ochre city” drew a star-studded crowd, with actors Lupita Nyong’o, Shailene Woodley, and Jessica Alba in attendance. The night ended with a bang, thanks to a surprise performance from singer Diana Ross.
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