Catalina de Medici Reimagined in Paris with Dior’s Spring/Summer 2023 Ready-to-Wear Show

Maria Grazia Chiuri has delivered yet again. During her creative process for Dior’s SS23 collection, Chiuri looked to the house’s archives and discovered an image of a map of Paris printed on a scarf and structured around the Avenue Montaigne.

There, she took inspiration from her life as an Italian in France, as well as drew experiences from Italian noblewoman turned French queen Catherine de Medic – who shared a similar story with Chiuri, the collection was crafted based on autobiography, reflection, and influence. “The idea was to play with this reference and how much fashion and power are in dialogue,” said Chiuri in a statement.

True enough to the power of modern Dior women who let the clothes they wear speak for themselves, the collection reimagines stylish innovations launched during de Medic’s time, such as heels, the corset, and Burano lace, as introduced to the royal manufacturers back in the day.