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Paris Fashion Week 2022: Christian Dior combines ‘beauty and protection’ with Maria Grazia Chiuri’s hi-tech reworking of the label’s classic Bar jacket striking a timely chord
STORYAgence France-Presse
![Models on the catwalk at the Dior show during Paris Fashion Week. Photo: Reuters](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/768x768/public/d8/images/canvas/2022/03/04/0f2d2e31-6bbd-4abf-8ea7-90f0c9d0a5c2_9982e3bc.jpg?itok=qPTltRaP&v=1646373136)
- Dior’s timely collection includes tops that look like bulletproof vests as ‘the world was already at war’ according to artistic director Maria Grazia Chiuri
- ‘Covid was another form of war’ Chiuri says, as the French house presents a sombre show in front of celebrities including Rihanna and Blackpink’s Jisoo
Dior’s show at Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday struck a sombre tone – with designer Maria Grazia Chiuri putting her focus on combining “beauty and protection” – sadly apt for a time of war.
![A model presents a creation of Christian Dior’s autumn/winter 2022 ready-to-wear collection during Paris Fashion Week. Photo: Xinhua A model presents a creation of Christian Dior’s autumn/winter 2022 ready-to-wear collection during Paris Fashion Week. Photo: Xinhua](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/03/04/88b4d6f0-f6e3-49da-935f-fc360ad247f3_3debc528.jpg)
The collection was put together long before the Russian military began bombarding Ukraine last week.
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But with Dior’s models sporting a range of protective gear – from shoulder pads to airbag corsets to tops that looked distinctly like bulletproof vests – it was hard not to think of the news from Eastern Europe.
![The collection was designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Photo: Xinhua The collection was designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Photo: Xinhua](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/03/04/ac148dd7-514e-4f27-970d-c0555d340264_3debc528.jpg)
Even before the Ukraine conflict, “the world was already at war”, said Chiuri, Dior’s artistic director for women, ahead of the show.
![The collection featured hi-tech updates of classic Christian Dior designs. Photo: Xinhua The collection featured hi-tech updates of classic Christian Dior designs. Photo: Xinhua](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/03/04/96051a2d-0029-4118-8a82-8ac51cb50a70_3debc528.jpg)
Covid was another form of war. We have all experienced some very difficult months. There is a lot of reflection, in these difficult times, about how to combine beauty, aesthetics and protection
![Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri said the collection was aimed at finding technical solutions for womenswear. Photo: Agence France-Presse Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri said the collection was aimed at finding technical solutions for womenswear. Photo: Agence France-Presse](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/03/04/83e2d369-b74c-4695-a987-5cb73e5ad10d_4b05cdbf.jpg)
The 58-year-old Italian designer said her latest creations were aimed at finding technical solutions that can be more functional for women’s bodies.
They included a hi-tech reworking of Christian Dior’s most iconic creation, the Bar jacket.
![Dior’s Paris Fashion Week showcase was a sombre affair. Photo: Xinhua Dior’s Paris Fashion Week showcase was a sombre affair. Photo: Xinhua](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/03/04/6a59061b-f34b-44a2-b6c3-52b9db05289f_3debc528.jpg)
![A model walks during the Christian Dior autumn/winter 2022-2023 collection fashion show. Photo: Agence France-Presse A model walks during the Christian Dior autumn/winter 2022-2023 collection fashion show. Photo: Agence France-Presse](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/03/04/06b90bec-7aec-498e-8fa0-dbb2ff97003e_42f9bc09.jpg)