Becoming cult since its first appearance on the catwalk of the spring-summer 2000 prêt-à-porter show, the Saddle bag, imagined as a tribute to the equestrian universe, has been reinterpreted by Maria Grazia Chiuri for the fall-winter collection 2018-2019.
Remembering also means reiventing. Fifty years after the burst of creativity unleashed by the year 1968, Maria Grazia Chiuri revived an era when the rules of fashion were turned on their head. For this Autmn Winter 2018-19 Ready-to-wear collection, the artistic director of Dior was guided by this attitude espousing a search authenticity and a willingness to shake off the established codes.
The bags in particular are inspired both by this desire for freedom and the house’s heritage, such as the iconic Saddle, which made its debut in the Spring Summer 2000 Ready-To-Wear Collection, designed in 1999 by John Galliano (then Creative Director of Dior) in reference to the world of Equestrianism, with a form alluding to a horse “Saddle” decorated with a gilt ‘D’. Havin become an immediate cult object, the “Saddle” was propelled into the limelight internationally by numerous artists and celebrities including Beyoncé, Elle Macpherson and Sarah Jessica Parker.
It is revisited here in two formats, in monochrome leather, in a 1970s- inspired patchwork bearing the inscriptions Peace and Love Dior, in oblique canvas embellished with nine pieces of finely-beaded embroidery entirely realized by hand after designs in bright and contrasting colors. The new ethnic strap, with its fringing and metal pieces, allows it to be worn cross-body for unrestrained movement and expression.
“I thought this collection would be an opportunity to revive its timeless beauty. I consider this icon of the house’s recent history the perfect accessory to deal with this battle that is daily life. Indeed, the Saddle Bag is a bag that is worn in exactly the same way as a shirt or jacket, and it’s so comfortable to wear with its long strap that you almost forget it’s there. The Saddle bag is also pratical because it allows you to carry everything you need with you. It’s for this reason that I wanted it larger and more robust, but also very colorful, embroidered or with beaded fringe because, like a chameleon, it adapts to all situations“. Maria Grazia Chiuri
Credits: © Courtesy of Christian Dior Couture PR
