Dior shows fall fashion collection in gardens of ancient Kyoto temple

Dior creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri showed her fall fashion collection of loose, minimalist styles in the garden of the Toji Temple in Kyoto on Tuesday night.

Models walked down a broad, pebbled path and over a footbridge, parading long overcoats and dresses in mostly sombre colours, some worn wrapped Kimono-style across the chest.

There were loose trousers, wide-sleeved jackets and long, airy dresses with glittering flower patterns. Some looks were accessorized with a single earring, or a cross-body bag.

The French fashion house worked with local specialists, including traditional Japanese textile company Tatsumura Textile Co., for the designs, which drew on 15th and 16th century styles.

Models walk at the fashion show in Kyoto's Toji Temple. AFP

"We made several different prototypes, and from those, the final version was selected for production," Iku Tatsumura, president of the Kyoto-based company told Reuters.

A silver-based fabric was made less shiny to give it a more modern look, while navy garments were lightened with tones of gray, he said.

"Altogether, the whole process took about a year.”

LVMH-owned Dior's ties to Japan, where it has held exhibits and fashion shows and dressed royals, date back to its founder, Christian Dior, who in 1957 designed coats to fit over the shape of the Kimono.

Guests gather before Dior's Fall 2025 collection fashion show in Kyoto's Toji Temple on Tuesday. AFP

For the finale, models lined up in front of the pagoda-style temple that was founded in 796, as Chiuri, who joined Dior in 2016, walked out for her bow, pausing for a quick nod to the audience.

Dior is a French multinational luxury goods company that is controlled and chaired by French businessman Bernard Arnault, who also heads LVMH.

As of December 2023, Dior controlled around 42% of the shares and 57% of the voting rights of LVMH.

Musicians take part in a rehearsal before performing for the fashion show. AFP

In addition, the Arnault family held a further 7% of the shares and 8% of the voting rights of LVMH as of that date.

The original fashion house was founded by French designer Christian Dior in 1946 to make haute couture items.

Clothing is now produced by Christian Dior Couture, which is a subsidiary of LVMH, whereas Christian Dior SE is a holding company that controls LVMH.

Bernard Arnault's daughter, Delphine Arnault, has been the CEO of Christian Dior Couture since February 2023.

Bernard Arnault's eldest son, Antoine Arnault, is the CEO of Christian Dior SE.

Agencies