Dior Ambassador Anna Sawai for Vogue Japan | Dior Pre-Fall 2025 Show in Kyoto

Dior Ambassador Anna Sawai for Vogue Japan | Dior Pre-Fall 2025 Show in Kyoto

Dior Ambassador Anna Sawai for Vogue Japan | Dior Pre-Fall 2025 Show in Kyoto

New Zealand-born Japanese actor Anna Sawai [IG] became a Dior ambassador in early February, wearing a custom look designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri to the 2025 Golden Globes. Sawai is best known for her major awards-winning role as Toda Mariko in the "Shōgun" series.

Today Anna Sawai covers the July 2025 issue of Vogue Japan [IG], wearing key pieces from Dior’s Pre-Fall 2025 collection, shown at Kyoto’s Toji Temple in April. The kimono shape used extensively in the Dior collection reflects the Japanese philosophy of understated elegance and harmony with the surrounding environment.

Maria Grazia Chiuri is known for her collaborations with local artisanal communities. In the Kyoto show, she partnered with the historic Tatsumura Textile atelier to produce what Vogue Runway called “craftsmanship nothing short of couture”.

With her commitment to understanding better the design architecture of the kimono — including its unisex modernity — Chiuri created another of her timeless investment-worthy collections, inspiring a word not common among fashion shows to describe the Kyoto experience.

Dior delivered an evening of ‘Grace’. Nice. ~ Anne

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Deva Cassel in Dior for Re-Edition SS2025 | Anne's Thoughts on Nepo Babies

Deva Cassel in Dior for Re-Edition SS2025 | Anne's Thoughts on Nepo Babies

Deva Cassel in Dior for Re-Edition SS2025 | Anne's Thoughts on Nepo Babies

The uber-talented, Dior ambassador Deva Cassel lands a Dior-story in Re-edition Magazine [IG] Spring/Summer 2025 issue 23.

When the NYTimes wrote ‘Nepo Babies Crowd the Runways’ in February 2024, there was some solid commentary from former casting director James Scully and two models we love, love, love.

“Kaia Gerber and Gigi Hadid would have walked into agencies and been signed, whoever their parents were,” Mr. Scully explained. “That said, the net is cast very wide now, and almost anyone will do. If you’re the average-looking daughter of a celebrity these days, then frankly you are as likely to be cast in a Prada show as if you are an actual model.”

Should Nepo Babies Be Banned?

Regarding Deva Cassel, she understands the ‘nepo baby’ label and doesn't view it negatively. Cassel believes that her own abilities and dedication will allow her to succeed beyond her parents’ names, which she agrees brought her to the industry’s attention, got her auditions, interviews and probably her initial small roles.

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Deva Cassel Is Sun-Kissed in Future Dior Beauty Riviera Summer 2025 Memories

Deva Cassel Is Sun-Kissed in Future Dior Beauty Riviera Summer 2025 Memories

Anne of Carversville has long-prized elegant packaging as part of the beauty experience. Dior Beauty Riviera summer 2025 delivers for the first time ever, the iconic Toile de Jouy pattern on limited-edition makeup cases and powders.

Surely this packaging belongs in a scene from Deva Cassel’s new Netflix series ‘The Leopard’. Cassel plays the role of Angelica Sedara, amid the 1860s fall of the Sicilian aristocracy, where she enjoys a high-society romance with Prince Tancredi Falconeri, played by actor Saul Nanni.

The summer 2025 Dioriviera release combines beauty’s latest modern technology against the romantic, heart-grabbing emotions of Riviera summers from Cannes to Portofino. They remain an indescribable part of Anne’s life experiences.

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AOC Taps Debra Shaw in Dior Cruise 2025 for a History Lesson on Pre-Christian Scottish Women

AOC Taps Debra Shaw in Dior Cruise 2025 for a History Lesson on Pre-Christian Scottish Women

AOC Taps Debra Shaw in Dior Cruise 2025 for a History Lesson on Pre-Christian Scottish Women

Maria Grazia Chiuri staged her Dior Cruise 2025 show in the gardens of Drummond Castle in Scotland, with bagpipes making the occasion. The winter Luxe issue of Grazia UK [IG] features top model Debra Shaw wearing key pieces from the Dior Cruise 2025 collection, lensed by Silvana Trevale [IG] at the Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland.

Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri Always Finds the Unique Makers for Her Collections

In fashion we concentrate so much on shape Grazia said, but textiles are a big part of our job—what you can do with them, and the changes you can make through them.” So, Chiuri went to the traditional—the tartan and cashmeres, the tweeds and the Argyles—and deftly filtered them into a collection which variously drew on the geopolitics of fabrics.

Chiuri’s collection and brief history lesson took AOC on a breakthrough journey into the history of women in Scotland and beyond. Anne never intended to land in a deep-dive into the Middle Ages. In fact, that’s exactly where our Gleneagles Defender landed.

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Miss Dior Cruise 2025 with Julie Hoomans and Sheila Bawar by Viviane Sassen

Miss Dior Cruise 2025 with Julie Hoomans and Sheila Bawar by Viviane Sassen

The ‘Miss Dior’ range from Dior Cruise [IG] 2025 radiated youthful exuberance in the pages of Dior Magazine No.48, inspired by the Swinging Sixties. Photographer Viviane Sassen [IG] captured models Julie Hoomans and Sheila Bawar styled by Alexandra Carl in a psychedelic set designed by Ibby Njoya./ Hair by Christian Eberhard; makeup by Min Kim

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Kim Jones and Virgil Abloh: As Jones Exits Dior Men, We Discover Him as Mentor to Abloh

Kim Jones and Virgil Abloh: As Jones Exits Dior Men, We Discover Him as Mentor to Abloh

As Jones Exits Dior Men, We Discover Him as Mentor to Abloh

The clues were few that British designer Kim Jones was about to leave Christian Dior Mens, especially after delivering one of the most ‘stupendous’ shows of his career in his Fall 2025 presentation in Paris last on Friday last week.

Praise for Jones has been lavish from his peers, with widespread consensus that Kim Jones’ seven-years tenure at Dior Mens “accelerated the convergence of men’s fashion, art, and celebrity to warp speed.”

Kim Jones and Virgil Abloh

In writing this post, AOC was not aware of the very close relationship of Kim Jones and Virgil Abloh. We share a major taste of the duo together.

The future for Kim Jones will include his work with Charleston Trust, where the designer became a vice president in fall 2024.

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Dior Joaillerie As 'Celestial Poetry' by Elina Kechicheva for Dior Magazine Issue 48

Dior Joaillerie As 'Celestial Poetry' by Elina Kechicheva for Dior Magazine Issue 48

"Fortunately, there are flowers,” Monsieur Dior once mused in his memoirs. His words now blossom in a spare, seemingly fragile and delicate beauty in Victoire de Castellane’s latest ‘La Rose Dior’ collection for Dior Joaillerie.

Frequent Dior photographer Elina Kechicheva's [IG] ‘Celestial Poetry’ images capture the quiet allure of Rennaisance paintings in her signature highlights of the new ‘La Rose Dior’ collection.

Models Zoe Head and Li Linzi are styled by Samuel François in Dior Magazine Issue 48. / Makeup by William Bartel; hair by Sebastien Richard; set design Jean-Hugues de Chatillon

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Dior Beauty 'Visionary' Willow Smith on 21st Century Lip Glow and 'Big Feelings'

Dior Beauty 'Visionary' Willow Smith on 21st Century Lip Glow and 'Big Feelings'

Dior Beauty 'Visionary' Willow Smith on 21st Century Lip Glow and 'Big Feelings'

Dior Beauty [IG] ambassador Willow Smith [IG] joins the January 2025 campaign of cult-favorite Dior Addict Lip Glow. The new campaign is shot by Dan Beleiu [IG] and filmed by Valentin Herfray.

When Dior Beauty named Willow as an ambassador in March 2024, they described her as:

“one of the most visionary and daring young women of her generation”.

Willow describes herself as “the child who sings the ancient song”. Her latest sound is ‘Big Feelings’ from her May 2024 album ‘Empathogen’.

“It doesn’t sound as clean as a regular piano,” Smith notes about their use of a 1910 piano for ‘Big Feelings. “The wood sound adds to the snarly nature of the song—it’s like we’re going inside the mind, where everything is textured.”

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Dior Inspires An Apple with an Arrow, A Pencil at her Throat: Metal Magazine Stirs the Pot

Dior Inspires An Apple with an Arrow, A Pencil at her Throat: Metal Magazine Stirs the Pot

Chinese model Xie Chaoyu shared one of multiple covers of Metal Magazine [IG] No.51, the Fall/Winter 2024-2025 ‘The Error’ issue.

Emanuele Carrera styled the all-Dior fashion story lensed by Barcelona-based Angie Couple [IG], with art direction by Danidevito Creative Studio. / Hair by Edd Lopez; makeup by Blau

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A Breathtaking Dior Holiday 2024 Underwater World of Extreme Beauty & Design

A Breathtaking Dior Holiday 2024 Underwater World of Extreme Beauty & Design

A Breathtaking Dior Holiday 2024 Underwater World of Extreme Beauty & Design

Nature’s grandeur is reimagined in luminous gold for the Dior Cabinet de Curiosités—where magnificent sea creatures reign in brilliant splendor. These breathtaking Holiday 2024 selections from Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Dior Cruise 2025 collection, staged in Scotland, remind us of the depth and breath of the Dior luxury brand experience.

Alice Kirkpatrick [IG] is responsible for the exquisite set design, with images by Agnes Lloyd-Platt [IG].

For all those who criticize Maria Grazia Chiuri and Dior generally for not being clever enough — or bold enough — AOC points out that she has much more in common with Valentino’s Alessandro Michele with this presentation than with Gucci’s streamlined fashion pablum — that new quiet luxury design direction they’re touting.

Dior Marries Nature, Marine Life and Gold

This underwater theme is actually prevalent in Dior’s new Gold House in Bangkok and it’s projected onto a Dior facade in Tokyo. This architectural design trend requires a separate post focus on Dior’s emerging design presence as a marriage of nature and golden opulence, the key word.

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The Art of Stacking Dior’s Timeless Fine Jewelry in Harper's Bazaar Arabia November 2024

The Art of Stacking Dior’s Timeless Fine Jewelry in Harper's Bazaar Arabia November 2024

Harper’s Bazaar Arabia November 2024 presents ‘Ring Leader: Mastering the Art of Stacking with Dior’s Timeless Fine Jewelry’ [IG]. Model Xaria Carter is styled by Imogene Legrand in images by Sam Rawadi [IG]./ Hair by Adam Garland; makeup by Kasia Domanska

In the quarter century since establishing Dior Joaillerie in 1999, creative director Victoire de Castellane has nurtured both bold patterns like the My Dior Timepiece Watch in Steel and whimsical designs like the Rose des Vents and Etoile des Vents collections.

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Dior Cruise 2025 Campaign by Brigitte Niedermair at Drummond Castle in Scotland

Dior Cruise 2025 Campaign by Brigitte Niedermair at Drummond Castle in Scotland

Dior Cruise 2025 Campaign by Brigitte Niedermair at Drummond Castle in Scotland

Dior’s 2025 cruise collection now comes to life in a new ad campaign lensed by Brigitte Niedermair [IG]. Models include Ali Dansky, Jiali Zhao, Sanija Dalecka and Tanya Churbanova, styled by Elin Svahn. Ryan Chappell provides choreography with Alice Schillaci as director./ Hair by Eugene Souleiman; makeup by Peter Philips

Anne has written extensive political commentary about Dior’s thriving brand relationship with women worldwide under Maria Grazia Chiuri and the criticism of her by our industry’s fashion mafia sideliners. The original article link in this post takes you to Anne’s analysis.

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Miss Dior in Paris on Sorachi Terrazas for ELLE Mexico October 2024 by Alejandra Loaiza

Miss Dior in Paris on Sorachi Terrazas for ELLE Mexico October 2024 by Alejandra Loaiza

Mexican model Sorachi Terrazas delivers a Miss Dior in Paris fashion story centered on the FW 2024 collection, styled by Raúl Alvarez.

Paris-based photographer Alejandra Loaiza [IG] is behind the lens for ELLE Mexico October 2024. / Makeup by Rika Bitton; hair by Fanny Fraslin

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Miu Miu CEO Benedetta Petruzzo Moves to Christian Dior Couture as Managing Director

Miu Miu CEO Benedetta Petruzzo Moves to Christian Dior Couture as Managing Director

Given the stellar performance of Miu Miu in a post-COVID luxury landscape, it has to be a crushing blow to lose Miu Miu CEO Benedetta Petruzzo.

Delphine Arnault, chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture has confirmed Petruzzo’s arrival on Oct. 15.

"I am convinced that Benedetta's talent and leadership will be major assets in the continued development of Dior's activities and its international influence," Arnault said. "Her expertise in the luxury market will persist in enhancing the desirability and success of Dior. Together, with the excellence of the teams in place, we will carry on building the future and strengthening our organization."

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Patriotic Reflections on Dior's Pre-Fall 2024 Americana Tracksuit | Anne Was Wrong

Patriotic Reflections on Dior's Pre-Fall 2024 Americana Tracksuit | Anne Was Wrong

Dior releases new images from the pre-fall 2024 collection, inspired by the brand’s recent mood embracing New York activism of the 1960s.

AOC considers Maria Grazia Chiuri to have platinum grade design and merchandising instincts. But even Anne thought Dior’s stars and stripes ‘tracksuit’ [above] was Chiuri’s rare flat tire, with its unabashed celebration of stars and stripes Americana. Yikes!

Reconsidering that Dior 2024 Stars & Stripes Tracksuit

After watching night one of the Democratic Convention in Chicago on Monday, I was probably dead-wrong. More tears and overt displays of Democratic, Independent and anti-MAGA Republican patriotism were on display last night, than America has seen in years — maybe decades. Tonight should exceed Monday.

Given my recent attitude adjustment, I now see Chiuri’s track suit as perfect for Democrats’ young Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett [IG], who has represented major parts of Dallas since 2023.

After the eloquently hell-raising speech [IG] Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez gave in Chicago Monday night, AOC would probably wear the Dior Americana tracksuit, too.

So Anne was right-on in her analysis of an American state of mind unknown since 2008 and maybe not even then. WE are taking back patriotism — and with pride. But I was dead wrong with my haughty-woman response to that Dior stars & stripes tracksuit. Good work Dior; please accept my apologies. ~ Anne

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Dior's Artistic Fashion Garden for Vogue Korea August 2024 by Hyea W. Kang

Dior's Artistic Fashion Garden for Vogue Korea August 2024 by Hyea W. Kang

Model Huyao is styled by Vogue Korea Fashion Director Eunyoung Sohn in a Dior-sponsored, seasonal-transition fashion shoot lensed by Hyea W. Kang [IG] for Vogue Korea’s [IG] August 2024 issue.

The story ‘Fashion Garden Viewed from the Border of Summer and Autumn’ also taps the artistic talents of Hyunhee Kim's 'White Nostalgia' and ‘Ancient Futures’ series.  The artist known as Honey Kim resides in Seoul.

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Dior Ambassador Deva Cassel in Black Elegance by Ruben Vega for Woman Madame Figaro

Dior Ambassador Deva Cassel in Black Elegance by Ruben Vega for Woman Madame Figaro

Dior international ambassador for fashion and makeup, actor Deva Cassel covered the May 2024 issue of Woman Madame Figaro [IG], styled in sheer black Dior elegance by Marta Lasierra.

Previewing the Cannes Film Festival, Cassel was lensed by Ruben Vega [IG], in an issue that also featured Anne Hathaway, Mariana Enríquez and Kirsten Dunst./ Makeup by Letizia Carnevale; hair by Olga Holovanova

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Dior Fall 2024 Campaign Channels Miss Dior's Second Wave Women's Rights Spirit

Dior Fall 2024 Campaign Channels Miss Dior's Second Wave Women's Rights Spirit

Dior’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri was recently called the most modern couturier working today by Vogue’s Nicole Phelps.

In trying to explain her ‘design ethos’, while unintentionally drawing a line in the sand between herself and Christian Dior, Chiuri explained further. “Couture has historically been about ‘building the body’ with its corset foundations and highly-structured silhouettes. But I don’t want to build the body, I want to release it.”

For her Fall 2024 collection, Chiuri turned to the Miss Dior boutique, opened in 1967 to showcase a separate ready-to-wear collection during the tenure of Marc Bohan.

The designer explained: “I think he was really visionary for the time because the couture house was in difficulty. They had this relationship only with these couture clients—and women were changing. Not all the couture-house creative directors were so visionary to understand the new era, and new women.”

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