Photos By Gail

When Maria Grazia Chiuri began her tenure at Dior in 2016, she was the first woman to be appointed head designer since the house’s founding. This ensemble was the opening look in her inaugural ready-to-wear collection the summer of 2017.

Re-issued in 2020, the outfit comprises  a jacket of white cotton canvas with asymmetrical matelassé quilting —  embroidered with a heart motif in red silk and glass seed beads — a white shirt of white cotton plain weave and pique, and knickerbockers of white cotton canvas. This stylish version of a fencing uniform could be interpreted as a position of assertion or defense – or simply a love of sport. Under Chiuri’s successful creative leadership, Dior has made changes that extend beyond the clothing.

Chiuri makes a point to hire women photographers for her campaigns, and she regularly features or cites the work of women artists and creatives in her presentations. By utilizing her platform to uplift the work of her collaborators, she fosters opportunities and claims space for other women in within the industry.

Photographed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art as Part of the Exhibit Women Dressing Women.