Dior Celebrated Indian Artisans and Craftsmanship With a Fashion Show in Mumbai

Dior made history, cementing itself as the very first fashion house to host a seasonal fashion show in India. For the first time ever, the storied French label showcased its Fall 2023 collection at the historic Gateway of India, showcasing the embroidery and craftsmanship associated with Indian artisans on the runway. CNN notes that back in 1967, Pierre Cardin hosted a show in India and that Yves Saint Laurent followed suit in 1989 (Valentino followed suit in 2004), but Dior's on-calendar show wasn't just a special one-off exhibition, it offered a chance for creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri to "spotlight the collaboration and friendship" between herself and Karishma Swali, the artistic director of the Chanakya ateliers and the non-profit Chanakya School of Craft in Mumbai.

The show spanned a staggering 99 looks and many of the ensembles were created in collaboration between Dior and Chanakya. Together, Grazia and the team at Chanakya worked to mesh Dior's savoir-faire with the colors, motifs, mirror work, sequins, and handwork celebrated at the school. The runway included 23 Indian models, 33 Indian models with international backgrounds, and 43 international models. Cara Delevingne, Simone Ashley, and Naomi Ackie were all in attendance.