In the serene gardens of Kyoto, with the historic Tō-ji Temple as a backdrop and a canopy of cherry blossoms overhead, Dior’s Pre-Fall 2025 collection saw the coming together of Japanese aesthetics with the house’s signature timeless elegance.
Kimono-inspired silhouettes took centre stage, with gently flowing dresses and wide-sleeved jackets that paid tribute to Japan’s sartorial history. Detailing came in the form of floral motifs with metallic accents that honoured Japan’s rich textile heritage and the fleeting beauty cherry blossom season. Dior’s collaboration with Tatsumura Textile Co. brought traditional Japanese fabrics, including silver-based fabrics at the forefront, further reinforcing the house’s deep respect for cultural craftsmanship. This homage extended to nods to Christian Dior’s iconic 1957 kimono-inspired designs, demonstrating the brand’s longstanding ties to Japan’s fashion legacy.
It wouldn’t be an April Kyoto show without season cherry blossom, and these lined the catwalk, signalling change, impermanence, and beauty, as petals drifted onto the runway. The beauty looks mirrored this delicate sensibility, with Dior’s creative director of makeup, Peter Philips, drawing inspiration from Japanese watercolour techniques, blending rose hues with rich wine-toned shadows. Styling remained minimalist too, with models wearing single earrings that allowed the craftsmanship to take the spotlight.
The front row was fittingly ethereal as personalities reinforced the house’s cinematic ties, dressed in velvet, lace, and sharp tailoring, like characters from Dior’s every own dreamscape.
For Pre-Fall 2025, Chiuri’s collection epitomised a new kind of luxury: thoughtful, crafted, and emotionally intelligent, and in a world of fast, fleeting moments, the Dior woman takes her time.
