Dior's Indian ODYSSEY

Maria Grazia Chiuri takes us to the heart of Mumbai to honour and celebrate Indian artisans and their breathtaking craftsmanship in her vibrant pre-autumn showcase for Dior

- ABDUL AZIZ DRAIM

The stage is set. As twilight leads to dusk, the Apollo Bunder in Mumbai comes alive as guests navigate their way to their seats within the compound of the Gateway of India. This cool Thursday evening, the historic site is to host Maria Grazia Chiuri’s runway presentation for Dior’s pre-autumn collection, Dior Fall ’23. Thus tonight, the architectural marvel—completed in 1923 to commemorate King-Emperor George V’s first visit to India—overlooks a runway flanked on either side by rows of pooja brass oil lamps and a vibrant floral mural depicting the scene of an elephant prancing through native flowers.

The lights then dim and the night falls silent but only briefly, as English singer Sheila Chandra’s vocal percussions punctuate the air with “Speaking In Tongues I”, signalling the start of the show. Models then appear through a central archway, the structure adorned with an elaborate 8-meter-high toran depicting Indian iconography, that required 35,000 hours to complete.