Christian Dior: Locals greet latest collection

Christian Dior: Locals greet latest collection

Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

With three key phrases: Funky folklore, Russian romance and the
new vintage, the latest ready-to-wear collection from Christian
Dior officially arrives here.

Featured in a recent media presentation, the 2002/2003
fall/winter collection greeted local customers with a richly
colorful, textured and embroidered line of hip apparel.

"This presentation consists of what was shown in Paris last
March. The purpose (of the presentation) is to bring customers
closer to our products. It is also aimed at educating them,
explaining about our products," Regis Rimbert, Christian Dior's
Southeast Asia Operation Manager, told The Jakarta Post.

The presentation was the third ever held here by Dior for its
ready-to-wear collection, following those in September last year
and April this year.

Compared to other international brands, presentations from
Dior are the most frequent and it seems becoming a regular agenda
for the Paris-based couture house.

Quite an aggressive strategy, indeed, but it comes as no
surprise as Indonesia is among the strongest markets for Dior
products in the region.

In the past year, according to Rimbert, there has been an
increase of around 55 percent in product sales.

"More and more young people also come to the (Dior) stores,
whereas last year, it was usually adult women. They (the
customers) also like the selection of products, from clothes to
accessories. And shoes... shoes sell a lot in Jakarta. We have a
strong segment for that," he said.

And so now Dior presents the latest collection, created by
designer John Galliano, for its customers here.

The collection is inspired by Imperial Russia and ethnic
minorities yet still carries Galliano's spirit of young, cutting
edge, urban and luxurious clothing, all with the rich and
detailed decorations he is known for.

Galliano continues to break more fashion barriers with the
metamorphosis of the T-shirt, from a basic item to a highly
decorated fashion statement. The product came out as a T-shirt
dress, with a Blouson style and a square cut collar.

It is brightly decorated on the front and back with sequins or
jeweled ribbon medallions, and are available in several colors or
tie-dye versions.

The dresses are cut short into micro mini, cinched with ribbon
at the hips, and hug snugly at the hem, paired with folklore fur
boots, and topped with a whimsical Trojan wool hat.

Other high fashion T-shirts are decorated with large
chandelier crystal rhinestones.

Galliano, who also at one time brought the army look back in
demand, also presents an army print on the T-shirts.

The Russian substance is taken from Poupee Russe or Russian
Barbie doll. It is applied in a rich layering of fur trimmed
brightly colored coats, over light chiffon dresses, and
accessorized with oversized hats and fur trimmed berets.

New shapes are introduced in this season, with the shoulders
of the jackets and coats pointed at the end and worn off the
shoulder. It is attached with a long knit waist panel.

Another Russian element came in the mix of rich floral and
paisley prints in black yellow and red. An ultra feminine look of
Imperial Princess are mixed with Galliano's signature bias cut
chiffon or black velvet evening gowns.

Also appearing in this collection is an ultra light weight
chiffon black dress with a low cut deep V-neck and decorated with
art deco antique jewelry inspired clips.

Faded denim light blue floral and graphic prints mixed with
black also exist.

The collection will soon be available in Dior's store here,
with prices ranging from Rp 1 million (US$109) to Rp 60 million.

However, not all of the recently shown collection will be
available.

"We have a team here in Indonesia which selects a collection
that will be sold here. The collection is of course adapted to
local taste and custom. The micro mini, for example, will not be
made available," Rimbert said.