The Book Dior by Raf Simons Published by Assouline
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Dior announces the spring 2023 release of the book Dior by Raf Simons, published by Assouline. This volume – the sixth in a series of publications dedicated to each of its Artistic Directors – reveals the creative vision of the Belgian couturier, at the convergence of heritage and reinvention, the essence of Dior and an infinitely contemporary purity. The pages highlight the shared passions and precious affinities that unite Raf Simons and Christian Dior – architecture, art and gardens – through “dress portraits” by photographer Laziz Hamani and texts from fashion journalist Tim Blanks.
“I’m not romantic about the past, I’m romantic about the future”. Thus Raf Simons – Artistic Director of Dior’s women’s lines from 2012 to 2015 – evokes his conception of fashion and couture. A reflection embodied by the wardrobe he dreamed up, fusing heritage and reinvention, the essence of Dior and an infinitely contemporary sense of purity. Through each of his collections, the models implicitly tell the story of his fascination for Christian Dior, with whom he discovered precious affinities.
Raf Simons (Photography by Willy Vanderperre)
In his first haute couture show, for autumn-winter 2012-2013, he chose to reinterpret the iconic New Look silhouette, transformed into a sculptural pants suit. An architectural manifesto, resonating as a tribute to Christian Dior’s original vocation. Every season, Raf Simons multiplied the references to the passions he shared with the founding-couturier – including those for nature and gardens, design and art – infusing his creations with many different inspirations.
Model Nicole Pollard wearing Look 32, haute couture Autumn-Winter 2012, Dior magazine, Fall 2012.Look 1, Bar jacket in black wool and satin, haute couture Autumn-Winter 2012. Dior Héritage collection, Paris.Look 23, short bustier dress in tulle embroidered with fuchsia velvet and beads, and trousers in navy blue wool, haute couture Autumn-Winter 2012, inspired by the Esther dress, haute couture Autumn-Winter 1952.Look 9, day dress in pale pink wool crepe, haute couture Autumn-Winter 2012. Dior Héritage collection, Paris.Look 41, evening dress in pale pink silk organza embroidered with floral appliqués, haute couture Spring-Summer 2013. Dior Héritage collection, Paris.Look 44, evening dress in black organza embellished with multicolor feathers, haute couture Autumn Winter 2013. Dior Héritage collection, ParisDetail of Look 4, ensemble consisting of a jacket in celadon silk satin and a skirt in navy blue wool and crepe over embroidered ecru tulle, haute couture Autumn-Winter 2013. Dior Héritage collection, ParisLook 16, evening dress in multicolor printed duchesse satin, haute couture Autumn-Winter 2013. Dior Héritage collection, Paris.Detail of Look 14, ensemble consisting of a top in embroidered pale blue façonné taffeta and trousers in pale blue taffeta, haute couture Autumn-Winter 2014. Dior Héritage collection, Paris.Look 36, ensemble consisting of a coat in pale pink faille embroidered with metallic thread, a top in black cashmere and trousers in black wool, haute couture Autumn-Winter 2014. Dior Héritage collection, Paris.Look 12, dress in black and blue guipure, green crepe georgette and organza embroidered with silver and pink paillettes. haute couture Spring-Summer 2015. Dior Héritage collection, Paris.Model Élise Crombez wearing Look 33, couture Autumn-Winter 2013, Dior magazine, Winter 2013.
With Monsieur Dior, he also cultivated a taste for modernity and the desire to celebrate legacy through the prism of a constantly forward-looking perspective. “We must not forget the past, we must go beyond it,” declared Raf Simons. His Dior years thus foreshadowed a form of renewal for the House, marked by a poetic avant-gardist spirit.
An exceptional book exploring the many facets of Raf Simons’ style during his Dior years.
