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.