Amidst the glistening lights that overlook the French Riviera following the glittering menagerie of the world’s well-heeled circles at the 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival, Dior is sharing their illusive Savoir-Faire images. Step into the ateliers where craftsmanship and the artistry of details in tailoring is prized. BAZAAR brings you behind-the-seams of the gowns worn by Marion Cotillard, Kirsten Dunst and Liu Yifiei, Ambassador of Dior Prestige skincare in China.
Marion Cotillard attends the “From The Land Of The Moon (Mal De Pierres)” premiere during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 15, 2016 in Cannes, France dressed in Dior.
Making Of: Marion Cotillard’s Dress
A Golden Dress Lamé Dress
In the atelier Flou, tucked away under the eaves of 30 Avenue Montaigne, the petites mains have translated Marion Cotillard’s wishes and inspirations into a unique creation, a golden dress, a sliver of glittering details. Working from a mood board of ideas, the lamé dress was designed to distill pure, pared-down simplicity of an apparently effortless kind only the savoir-faire of the Dior happier couture ateliers can accomplish. Only a single seam is visible on the bust: it gives the fabric a draped movement that seems to continue to the shoulder where it spills into a ruffle of black velvet, like a trompe l’œil. The fabric’s ability to mold the curves of the chest in a natural manner without any other visible stitches or darts is the result of the rigorously-constructed organza foundation underpinning it. Lastly, a fine copper chain was sewn into the hem of the dress so that the light fabric falls in a fluid fashion, enhancing the actress’ movements on the red carpet.
A fine copper chain was sewn into the hem of the dress so that the light fabric falls in a fluid fashion.
Making Of: Liu Yifiei’s Dress
A Flower-Embroidered White Dress
Liu Yifiei, Chinese Actress and Chanel Skincare Ambassador who ascended the steps of Cannes in the sumptuous Dior creation.
The seamstresses who saw Liu Yifiei’s dress come to fruition closely followed the sketch like a detailed road map: with a few pencil strokes and touches of color, the line of the dress is defined, along with the movement of its train and floral motifs. With this sketch as a starting point, the petites mains can produce the toile through which they note all the indications necessary for the making of the dress, from the bust lines to the volume at the hips, which will be accentuated by an underskirt of faille, tulle and horsehair, not forgetting the placement of the embroideries, represented by pieces of paper pinned to the toile. Once this has all been finalized and validated, the petites mains cut, tack and sew the ecru faille fabric until they arrive at a preliminary version of the dress, which is then taken to China to be tried on by Liu Yifei. This moment, taking place on the other side of the globe, marks the first meeting between actress and dress. The star then gives her impressions, her measurements are carefully noted to ensure that the fabric molds her figure flawlessly, and the dress makes its way back to Paris where it will be used as the model for the real dress the actress will wear on the red carpet.
The dress is a subtle nod to the delicacy of the Granville roses used in Dior Prestige skincare, of which Liu Yifei represents.
