Dior Stages Cruise Show At The Panathenaic Stadium In Athens
The marble landmark was the site of the first modern Olympics in 1896
Following 18 months of postponed, cancelled and virtual fashion shows, designers are now pulling out all the stops as they present their latest collections. This includes Dior, which just hosted its spectacular cruise 2022 show at the home of the modern Olympics, the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens.
Inspired by the setting and by ancient Greek mythology more generally, the collection was filled with beautiful draped goddess gowns (traditionally named ‘peplos’), which were given a modern sporty spin, paired with chunky Nike trainers, which also channelled the athletic nature of the Olympics.
“It gives this idea that they are not statues, but are active in the world,” creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri told WWD of the inspiration behind the gowns. “It’s really something absolutely contemporary: all the things that are under the dress are technical things that you can use also to run.”
“The peplos also is an element that allows the body to move freely, that evokes women in movement, and no one more than an athlete moves their body in a really active way,” she added. “So my idea was to culminate all these elements inside the show.”
As one of the first major fashion shows to take place since the pandemic took hold, the event also saw the return of the front row. Names including Cara Delevingne, Suki Waterhouse and Anya Taylor Joy were all in attendance, heading to Athens to see the collection first hand.
Dior previously confirmed that Greek authorities had given permission for a show to take place at the iconic location, as well as several photo shoots, which will also form part of the presentation. The house has also collaborated with local creatives and artisans as part of the show and collection, something which Dior has made a habit of, including with its recent shows in Italy and Morocco.
The marble stadium is the home of the modern Olympics, with the opening and closing ceremonies taking place at the site in 1896. It was originally built as a racecourse in around 330 B.C.
This is not the first Dior show to take place at an iconic Greek landmark. The house presented its autumn/winter 1951 haute couture collection against the backdrop of the Acropolis.
Watch the Dior cruise 2022 show in full right here.
Written by Amy De Klerk. Images Courtesy of Dior.