DIOR FALL 2006

John Galliano has produced countless collections for his own brand, Givenchy, Christian Dior, and Maison Margiela, so it would be incredibly difficult to look through them all on this occasion! Nonetheless, I wanted to continue my findings for observing runways inspired by the grungy and disorderly behaviour of the punks to perceive how he has narrated them to a luxury consumer.

I felt my previous discovery of merging multiple historical references was reciprocated massively in my recent unearthing of the Dior 2006 Couture show he produced. Combining the infamous names of Siouxsie Sioux, Joan of Arc, Botticelli and 40’s actress Arletty, this collection exemplified how Galliano can mingle disparate faces yet find a fundamental line which strings them all together. The collection embodied a greater nod to medieval history, whilst still incorporating a bizarre troupe of goth punk in outsize black and red folded 3D shapes (Mower, 2006).

In my opinion, I think it showcased punk through a greater luxury and contemporary lens through glam rock, compared to the previous collection I analysed. Garments were concealed with gold chain mail, glass diadems, voluptuous hems, and metallic materials, creating a parallel universe of a myriad of cultures. It was fascinating to see punk advertised in such a way and not focusing in on its generic state, this is a notion I am considering taking forward as it pushes the garments to a more suited luxury market.

Currently, it is taking me some time to understand Galliano’s concepts and why he puts two and two together. However, I can greatly understand as to why he is titled one of fashion’s greatest designers because of how effortlessly he pulls off such collections! I admire his out of box thinking and Avant Garde styling, and by delving into this runway further, it has permitted me the opportunity to readdress how I can narrate punk to my designated consumer.