It’s been a hot summer for Archery. Dior’s opening of Paris Fashion Week featured the ancient sport as the star, following its dazzling appearance at the Olympics in Paris under the magnificent gold dome of Les Invalides.
Italian performance artist and competitive archer Sagg Napoli, 33, opened the event by walking the lengthy catwalk while holding her bow. She wore a quiver with arrows slung over one shoulder in place of a handbag.
Upon arriving at the finish, she stretched her shoulders and bounced on her toes before spending the entire show shooting arrows that sped past the models on either side of her, all while being safely encased in a transparent hallway that spanned the length of the runway.
Paris emerged victorious from the Olympics. Dior, the most famous of the French luxury labels, is also keen to take advantage of the afterglow because fashion and Paris go hand in hand. Together with Sonja Haraldsen, the queen of Norway, and Delphine Arnault, CEO of Dior, Brigitte Macron attended the event.
Resurrected as a theme for a youthful, sport-focused season, the 1960s Dior Sport emblem was last seen on ski clothing worn by Jackie Kennedy Onassis. The go-faster stripe tracksuit trousers were paired with elasticated tank tops. Stretchy, athletic boots reached the calf, echoing the Generation Z preference for pulled-up socks.
Dior’s sport-inspired revival of a classic emblem
Designer Maria Grazia Chiuri explained backstage before the performance that she was drawn to the extended gestures and forceful action of archery because she was interested in figuring out how to adapt Dior’s style language, which was created in the 1940s and 1950s for a clientele that didn’t often go for jogs, for contemporary women who lead active lives. “The emergence of sports has altered women’s body language, and consequently, fashion,” the speaker stated.
Chiuri’s vision: Fashion meets ancient and modern heroes
An ancient Roman statue depicting Diana, the goddess of hunting, stretching over her shoulder for an arrow was included on Chiuri’s mood board. A picture of Wonder Woman as well. She is a contemporary Amazon, Chiuri said. “I always liked how her corset is a shield, protecting her.” The Lady Dior handbag debuted on the catwalk with a new cross-body strap for convenience of movement.
Ganni’s sustainable debut in Paris
Dior was followed by the sustainable Copenhagen brand Ganni’s Paris launch. The move up to the world capital of fashion is indicative of both the brand’s expansion goals and the growing popularity of Scandinavian fashion.
Their performance had a witches motif, and the middle of the runway featured a cauldron filled with smoke. However, designer Ditte Reffstrup clarified that the purpose of this was to highlight responsible fashion rather than “pointy hats.”
“The witches belonged to a community, a sisterhood, where they bravely defended their beliefs, cooperating with nature and willing to put their lives in danger to do so,” Reffstrup told WWD.
The cauldron represented the alchemy of novel textiles, such as Celium, a substitute for leather derived from leftover mango and pineapple fruit, and sneakers manufactured from leftover fabric. In 2023, Ganni’s greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 7%, even though the company’s growth over the previous three years averaged 18%.
Despite moving to Paris, Ganni maintained a laid-back vibe. There were tons of denim, a bright riot of leopard print, American football shirts (the new slogan T-shirts, courtesy of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce impact), and flat sneakers perfect for riding around Copenhagen on two wheels.
Archery takes center stage at Paris Fashion Week
Dior’s celebration of archery brought a fresh, athletic energy to Paris Fashion Week, blending ancient sport with modern style. This seamless integration of tradition and innovation reflects the evolving demands of contemporary fashion, where both performance and sustainability now play key roles. From Dior’s sport-inspired collection to Ganni’s eco-conscious debut, the event highlighted how fashion continues to adapt and lead in a dynamic world.
(Tashia Bernardus)