Making their way to the city that never sleeps, luxury fashion house Dior is all set to showcase their pre-fall collection at the Gateway of India in Mumbai this March. Their renowned creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri has been working closely with Indian artisans for some years now, in addition to collaborating with the Chanakya School of Craft on embroideries for Dior’s craft-centric collections. 

This particular collection has pieces embellished with intricate embroidery by Karishma Swali who leads Chanakya’s craftsmanship school for women. The collaborative collection will feature evening coats, silk dresses, and sari-inspired skirts that reference ethnic Indian silhouettes. The have also previously supplied surface ornamentation for a number of European luxury brands and couture houses over the years. 

The historic landmark will be transformed into a runway space after many years of the YSL show that took place at the same location in 1989. Destination based fashion shows narrate a unique tale that borrows cultural significance from the native ethos. Previously Fendi staged a fashion show at the Great Wall of China in 2007, the runway spectacle became a significant marker of cultural precedence for both China and Fendi.

Speaking to BOF about her inspiration, Chiuri shares "Fashion is much more than 10 minutes on the runway. It’s all the people that work together on this incredible project. I am doing this show for my love of this country, and how much they support my creativity. It is really something very personal." 

While India is a big market for luxury brands, our close ties to impeccable craftsmanship and roots in a rich heritage provide a solid ground for innovation. Chiuri intends to celebrate and showcase the incredible knowledge India offers to the international world of fashion in the field of embroidery and craft. 

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