Dior and I

Dior and I is a captivating documentary that takes the viewers behind the scenes of one of the world's most prestigious and iconic fashion houses - Christian Dior. This engaging and thought-provoking film was directed by Frédéric Tcheng and was released in 2014. It plunges the viewers into an intense, tactile journey within the hidden world of haute couture.

The film provides a rare glimpse into the creation of Raf Simons' first haute couture collection as the new artistic director of the house of Dior. Simons, primarily known for his minimalistic aesthetic in menswear, faced a challenging task of replacing legendary John Galliano at Dior. His tough assignment was compounded by the fact he had just eight weeks to put together his debut haute couture collection, as opposed to the usual five or six months.

Tcheng's cameras roll to document the creative process as tensions rise and deadlines approach. Designing for a revered house like Dior becomes more than only a job for Simons who, from the onset, signals a compelling desire to honor Christian Dior's legacy while, precisely at the same time, refusing to allow it to inhibit his unique vision.

While Simons is undoubtedly the cornerstone of the story, Dior and I brilliantly humanizes the often overlooked and under-appreciated seamstresses and craftsmen of Dior's atelier. These are the individuals who, through their remarkable skills and unwavering dedication, bring Simons' designs to life. These are the hidden heroes of the fashion world, stitching and fitting their way through every design - the 'I' in 'Dior and I'.

The film also integrates excerpts from Christian Dior's memoirs, providing a deeper understanding of the eponymous designer's vision and sensibility. Increasing the allure is the narration by Omar Berrada, who voices Dior’s words. With Berrada's smooth intonation, the movie creates an almost ghostly presence of Dior within the fashion house. It feels like Dior himself is watching over Simons and his team, encouraging yet challenging them to uphold the brand's legacy.

Dior and I cleverly balances the world of fashion with art, underlining their ceaseless synergy which is often glossed over in the glitz and glamour of fashion. It delves extensively into Simons' artistic influences and inspirations - notably his love for modernist art - which flavored the first collection that he designed for Dior.

One does not need to be a fashionista or a die-hard fan of Dior to appreciate this documentary; the themes it explores transcend beyond the realm of fashion. The narrative emphasizes the theme of tension between personal creativity and corporate expectations, between new ideals and old traditions, and between an individual's vision and the weight of a colossal fashion legacy.

The documentary does a commendable job of capturing the insecurities, anxieties, and pressure faced by the creative team and particularly Simons - the man tasked with steering the Dior ship into modern waters without sacrificing its storied past. Simons is refreshingly frank about his fears and struggles in handling the specter of Dior’s legacy, the scrutiny of fashion critics, and his diametrically different design sensibility.

The film culminates in the emotionally-charged unveiling of the collection, illustrating the relief, exhilaration, and pride felt by all who were intimately involved in its creation. The viewer is not just a spectator, but an emotional participant in the journey of Dior's team.

Dior and I is a tremendously moving, wonderfully evocative, and visually stunning delve behind the curtains of one of fashion's most respected institutions. It is a tribute to not only those who sit at the helm but also those who play their indispensable parts out of the limelight. It's an unforgettable voyage within the walls of the fashion house that Christian Dior built, a salute to the artistry of haute couture, and a celebration of a significant moment when the past and the future met at the crossroads of creativity.