Maria Grazia Chiuri finds inspiration in the grace and strength of the Roman Goddess of Hunting

At the gorgeous garden of the Musée Rodin, Maria Grazia Chiuri presented Dior’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection in a truly spectacular way! For the show, Chiuri transformed the runway into a 70-meter-long archery shooting range, where Sagg Napoli, an Italian performance artist, fired arrows alongside the models. With each poised release, Napoli boldly embodied the women warriors Chiuri was influenced by, and it was an incredible sight to behold!

In an exciting new teaser for the show, Chiuri, who has a knack for finding inspiration in formidable women throughout history, explored the magnificent Musée du Louvre with its esteemed curator, Ludovic Laugier. Landing on Diana of Versailles, a stunning marble statue of the Roman Goddess of Hunting, it was clear that the creative director had found her next muse!

Diana—or Artemis, as she is also known—is a protector and provider, and she looks amazing doing it! She’s depicted with a wide gaze, hastening forward as she simultaneously reigns in a deer and reaches for an arrow out of her quiver while donning a hiked chiton. As Chiuri and Laugier chatted about her significance, they also noted the versatility and historical importance of her clothing, so it was no surprise that wrapped silhouettes were featured prominently in the collection—and they looked amazing!

However, it wasn’t just her traditional garb that was referenced on the runway—it was also her fierce natural athleticism! With the Paris Olympics still fresh on our minds, the Maison’s long-held connection to the sporting world—sporty riding jackets were a pillar of Dior’s initial offering—was brought to life in a collection filled with luxurious athleisure and sporting motifs.

Tailoring and eveningwear were still there in all their glory, but this season saw a welcome shift towards relaxed fits. The Formula One influence was also evident in other details like harnesses, moto jackets, driving gloves, and check prints, which brought a vibrant energy to the monochromatic color palette.

According to the show notes, Chiuri wanted to “take fashion back to its origins and highlight the relationship between the body and what it wears. With this in mind, Dior gathered and reinterpreted cuts from its archives, starting with the house’s “Amazone” dress, first conceived by Christian Dior for fall/winter 1951-1952.

For Chiuri, it’s the often-dismissed symbiosis between strength and femininity that ignites her passion to keep referencing these examples of autonomous, courageous grace. Though it’s common to hear that these two are diametrically opposed, history and legend are awash with women who ardently prove otherwise—and it’s a joy to behold!