Dior and I

Not since The September Issue will cinema goers have been treated to such an insight into the fashion industry. Dior and I, a new documentary from French director Frédéric Tcheng (who also wrote and produced this film) is a sartorial spectacle as magical and powerful as the catwalk collections themselves.

The documentary leads the viewer into the captivating world of the historical fashion house Christian Dior. It tells the story of Raf Simons' arrival, chronicling the meagre 8 weeks he had to create his first ever haute couture collection as Dior's new artistic director.

Unlike so many 'behind the scenes' documentaries which are distorted by bias, this provides true insight and dedicates ample time to celebrating the work of the seamstresses who helped - and continue to help - Raf Simons fulfil his creative vision.

Dior Raf Simons

In April 2012, designer Raf Simons was appointed as the creative director of Christian Dior. This was a pivotal moment in the history of the Parisian fashion house; as Simons’ background was not in haute couture, his appointment was a cause of some surprise. Dior and I, directed by relative newcomer Frédéric Tcheng, documents this decisive period, following Simons as he creates his first Spring collection.

However, as the title suggests, Dior and I is about the house and its history as much as it is about Simons as an individual. Tcheng is concerned with the context of Simons’ collection, and with the interplay between legacy, tradition, and innovation. It is not only a film about the reconciliation of past and present, but also a celebration of craft and dedication. As well as Simons, it follows the sewists, many of whom have worked in Dior’s ateliers for much of their career, as they hand-craft the collection.

During his tenure Simons has honoured Dior's legacy whilst driving the image of the house forward, integrating a sense of modernity into the traditional elegance of the label. For Spring 2015 Couture, Simons used plastic in his designs, rolling through eras of Dior style and uniting them through the ingeniuous use of this material. It was a show so remarkable that Tim Blanks, Style.com's Contributing Editor at Large could summarise it only thus: "Raf Simons took us on a trip—and tiny minds were blown."

Although relatively brief, Tcheng’s filmography is highly promising and his understanding of fashion undeniable. He worked as the co-producer, co-editor and cameraman on the celebrated documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor which explored the life of the renowned Italian designer. With Dior and I, he has built on this experience, and already attracted considerable critical interest. Dior and I UK cinema release date is set for March 27, and promises to delight audiences with its insightful, elegant and sympathetic direction. 

There will be a series of previews of Dior & I at Everyman Selfridges from 20th - 26th March. Click here to book. 

Watch Dior and I documentary, London

Cinemas showing Dior and I in London: