By William Wolf

DIOR AND I  Send This Review to a Friend

What goes into preparations for a French fashion show? The documentary “Dior and I,” directed by Frédéric Tcheng, takes you behind the scenes in two ways. There is the process into which we are invited, and the event holds special significance in that it marks the debut of Belgian designer Raf Simons after he becomes the new artistic director of the House of Dior.

We see some film clips of the late Dior, but the concentration is on the new. The pressure is on and we view all the detailed work that must be done by the major assistants and the seamstresses. The film moves from the planning stages to the moment when the models wear the new product and walk elegantly for those in attendance to ogle and approve or disapprove.

Simons comes across as a stern taskmaster who seeks to not only come up with intriguing designs that work in the contemporary milieu, but present them in a manner as new as possible. His coup is to find the right venue and smother it with flowers virtually everywhere. The final effect is stunning.

The film has its repetitious moments, and could be trimmed, but it offers a fascinating look into a world foreign to most, but familiar to the fashion trade. One assumes that much work goes into the creations, but “Dior and I” provides the intriguing detail. It also concentrates on the tensions in building up to the big moment, and the need to keep them in check while people work together toward the common goal.

Of course, the film emerges as a promotion for Dior. There is nothing wrong with that, and as long as we realize it there is nothing to limit our appreciation for being treated to this inside look. An Orchard release. Reviewed April 10, 2015.

  

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