The Dior Pre-Fall 2023 show held at the historic Gateway of India in Mumbai, on March 30th, 2023, was an ode to the exquisite hand artistries and the rich textiles and colours of India by Dior’s Creative Director, Maria Grazia Chiuri. Dior’s affinity with India and its craftsmen dates back to its founder Monsieur Dior, to Marc Bohan to Chiuri now. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, dotted with ferry boats, the 26 metre high and 15 metre wide basalt Gateway of India constructed in the Indo-Islamic architectural style, turned its 99-year-old vintage self into the Diorway to fashion in a manner most extraordinaire on Thursday night. The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the arrival of the Emperor India, George V and Mary of Teck, Empress consort, at Apollo Bunder, Bombay on December 2nd, 1911, the first visit of a British monarch to India. The protected monument has been the very essence of the island city, ever since it was inaugurated almost a century ago on December 4th, 1924. Dior’s pre-fall 2023 showing had 99 styles on 23 models from India, 33 Indian models with international backgrounds and 43 international models. Interestingly, 99 was the glorious number of the night.

The show’s scale, grandeur and execution in India were unparalleled, and in step with Dior’s new landmark energy, taking over the facade of Harrods in London in November 2022 to the men’s pre-fall show at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt in December 2022. With the Gateway show, Dior set a new criterion for luxury brands that have a presence in India, and those that are interested in coming to India.

The Dior show in Mumbai had everyone talking around the world, even before the house announced the same on March 14th. And once it was confirmed, the word Dior was heard every day and everywhere, such was the excitement in the city, and country. It was akin to Bombay being dressed up as a bride for its French groom to arrive on March 30th for the wedding of the year! The Dior teams were in residence in the city a week prior, at the Taj Palace Mumbai, which is a mere 280 metres from the venue. Imagine being in walking distance of a fashion show of this magnitude, and the afterparty too – that’s the palace of Mumbai – the Taj Palace for you. The show had Rekha, Christian Louboutin, Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, Cara Delevingne, Karlie Kloss, Pierre Casigrahi, Beatrice Borromeo, Simone Ashley, Jeff Koons, Apo Nattawin Wattanagitiphat, Mile Phakphum Romsaithong, and accomplished people from around the world, in attendance. The show also marked the presence of Delphine Arnault, who made her first appearance since being appointed Dior’s Chairwoman and CEO in February, 2023.

Founded by Christian Dior in December 1946, the eponymous French luxury fashion house headquartered at 30, Avenue Montaigne in Paris, France, was acquired by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton in April 2017 in a $13.1 billion deal by Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods company today.

Here are some photos of the Dior Pre Fall 2023 runway, arrivals and the venue, shot by me:

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©Rubina A Khan 2023