Paris Fashion Week: Starlets and sailors at Dior

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Could John Galliano have seen a production of ‘South Pacific’ recently? Seems like it from his spectacular collection for Dior, where sailors and pinups with Bettie Paige hairstyles met on the runway.

But this wasn’t just a campy story. Galliano worked the shore leave theme through thoughtful details, such as a scalloped hem resembling orchid petals on a violet silk dress, worn under a navy blue leather pea coat, for example, or the blue-and-white woodblock print that took over a classic Miss Dior bag.

The show started with sailor pants, peacoats and anoraks in crisp cotton or leather. But the real news was in flirty daytime dresses, which came in tropical prints, or knitted silk resembling fishing net. There were also cap sleeve jackets worn over short hibiscus-print sarong skirts, and saucy off-the-shoulder floral tops.

For evening, dresses fell to the floor. One gown, in sunshine yellow silk draped at one shoulder, had iridescent sequin embroideries like strands of coral and a playful organza garland belt. Another, in hibiscus pink with a white embroidered bodice, had a shredded silk chiffon skirt that brought to mind party streamers.

What a great escape.

-- Booth Moore in Paris

Christian Dior spring-summer 2011 runway collection photo gallery