Last weekend, French fashion brand Christian Dior held a lavish show at the historic Colegio San Ildefonso in Mexico City, where it presented its Cruise Women 2024 collection, inspired by Mexican culture and working with artisans from Oaxaca, Chiapas and Puebla. The organization was excellent, featuring local models and guests such as Oscar-nominated indigenous actress Yalitza Aparicio or millionaire Carlos Slim.
However, so much luxury did not convince fashion experts who turned to social networks such as TikTok to comment on the concept, which focused on the mythical artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954), who was highly respected by Mexicans, but a rather burnt and unproactive concept. . “A constant and recurring theme of fatigue between publishers and designers, which is becoming tiresome because there seem to be no other important figures in Mexico,” said expert Manu Castillo. “This is where the tip of the iceberg of the controversy begins… because of how rich Mexican culture is, that they continue to use Frida as their only image, it’s a bit of a cliché,” added Tiktoker Paula Marquez.
Dior’s collection included dresses, traditional wraps, vests, accessories, embroideries and prints that Frida captured in the world’s imagination. From the beginning, designer Maria Grazia Chiuri made it clear that this was a tribute to the living cultures of Mexico, for which she negotiated with the Ministry of Culture and worked directly with the artisans invited to the parade to avoid misunderstandings. Appropriation. Culture. Thus, everything was transparent, legal and properly compensated.
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However, several Mexicans and fashionistas complained about the sparse creative proposal for the “unaffordable” collection, as many of the clothes featured corresponded almost exactly to what the average Mexican or tourist could buy in a local tianguis, at a much higher price. And crafted by equally talented hands.
The closure of the feminist theme was icing on the cake, where the firm presented white dresses with blood-red phrases that provoked outrage, instead of sisterhood, condemnation or sympathy for a delicate cause in Mexico: femicides that cannot be touched. under the pretense of public nor low obligation, as fashion itself.
Phrases such as “run for your life” appeared in such clothing, which only reminded many communities and women of the country of the feeling of fear and persecution. Another said, “Queen,” accompanied by kitchen tools, insulting women who try to disrupt macho schemes; Or another that read “stop,” with the same tools that offend the great chefs of the culinary tradition. Not to mention a dress that included the various abuses that women receive on a daily basis.
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“Dior has really got into a very sensitive issue and is causing a lot of conflict,” Marquez said. From its user @pinchelika, another Mexican, pointed out that the brand would be in the dynamic of “purple washing”, a term that refers to the practice of some companies to improve their benefits and image, using campaigns in favor of causes as an excuse. There is no real and lasting commitment.
“A huge luxury brand is using femicides to get attention, to make their brand look credible and that they are part of the feminist movement… really part of the feminist movement? Do we know what they did after that? parade? If they donate money to institutions, if they do something to prevent gender-based violence?” asked the TikToker, who also referred to the concept of the parade as “white feminism”, which refers to the feminism of privileged women, which is far from racial circumstances and many other things that worry women. “Fundamentally, the feminism that Dior represented is a white feminism because it’s full of privilege,” she concluded.
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Source: Diario.Elmundo
