"Dior's Cruise 2024 Collection: A Tribute to Women, Frida Kahlo, and the Artisans - A Metamorphosis Documentary"

Dior has recently launched its 'Metamorphosis' documentary as a way to honor acclaimed artist Frida Kahlo, female artisans, and its Cruise 2024 collection. The unveiling took place on a Wednesday morning at Dior's French luxury house, presenting a sneak peek to a small number of guests. This latest documentary installment celebrates the skills, customs, and knowledge invested in each follow-on fashion line by the artisans involved.

The documentary is based primarily in Mexico City, the location where Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior's chief womenswear designer, revealed her Cruise collection in May this year. Prior reveals were in locations such as Athens and Morocco. The Cruise 2024 show is heavily inspired by Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist and feminist figure, starting the documentary with a dedication to her.

The name 'Metamorphosis,' signifies Kahlo's self-transformation through her clothing to distract from her polio-caused disfigurement. Kahlo frequently wore Tehuana dresses, comprised of a lengthy skirt and huipil – a cotton blouse with sophisticated embroidery - to shift attention towards her upper body. Kahlo's style is now iconic, solidifying her as a celebrated fashion symbol among women artists.

In the remaining documentary, Maria Grazia Chiuri's quest to find skilled artisans in Mexico is explored leading to the incorporation of master embroiderers, weavers, silversmiths, and artists, like feminist artist Elina Chauvet. The documentary highlights their work and also their struggles as these artisans are often without professional studios and resort to working from their homes.

The documentary highlights Dior’s traditional Bar jacket with Mexican motifs, adding a contemporary touch to the classic jacket design. Although male artisans also appear, the primary focus is the talented women artisans who keep their inherited traditions alive and take immense pride in their work.

Finally, the film culminates with the Cruise 2024 show, with all the collaborating artisans invited to the grand reveal. The documentary is fundamentally a nod to women, art, and Mexico. Maria Grazia Chiuri’s notion that globally inherited cultural legacies should be part of the discourse between the present and future is echoed throughout the tribute. 'Metamorphosis' will be accessible on the Dior website to the public from December 6.