Relationship with Dior

The question of who the “I” is in the title “Dior and I” appears to be complicated and open to interpretation.

The documentary “Dior and I” is essentially a story about relationships. The relationships between one’s conflicted selves, as Christian Dior describes in his memoir, but also about other people's relationship with Dior, especially the designer that ‘enters his shoes’ as the head designer of the brand. 

Simons identified with many aspects of Dior’s personality and tried to fit in by continuing Dior’s style, using themes that were the building blocks of Dior in the 1940s and 1950s, such as the shape of the female figure and flowers, among others. Despite his success in reviving many of Dior’s early dresses, Simons left Dior after 3 years.

Maria Grazia Chiuri, appointed Dior’s next Creative director, was the first woman to receive this role at the company. Her relationship with Dior was different. She did not try to ‘fit in’ and continue producing Christian Dior’s line. She drew inspiration from the founder, Christian Dior, and all his successors throughout the years, seeing them as equal contributors to Dior’s legacy. 

Most distinctively, Chiuri created a feminist “New Look” for Dior, bringing her female voice to a women's fashion brand designed by men for 70 years.