On a picturesque evening in early June, against the dramatic backdrop of slate-colored clouds above Lake Como, Dior hosted an opulent garden party at the historic 19th-century Villa Erba. Despite the impending threat of rain, attendees arrived undeterred, disembarking from glossy wooden Riva boats adorned with Dior’s Toile de Jouy fabric onto the private dock.
The soirée marked the unveiling of Dior’s latest High Jewelry collection, a highly anticipated event that drew guests from around the globe. Adorned in Dior’s iconic creations—embroidered tulle dresses, chiffon gowns, and impeccably tailored tuxedos—the attendees were poised to witness the grand debut of Creative Director of Fine Jewelry, Victoire de Castellane’s, latest masterpiece.
Drawing inspiration from Christian Dior’s enduring fascination with gardens, de Castellane and her team crafted an impressive ensemble of 170 unique pieces, complemented by three “secret watches,” each an extravagant marvel in its own right.
The evening unfolded without a raindrop in sight. Following a welcome cocktail, guests were led indoors for a candlelit dinner beneath the frescoed ceilings of Villa Erba. Subsequently, they returned to the garden, sipping espresso martinis, to intimately experience the High Jewelry collection.
Models, adorned in couture by Dior Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri, graced the grassy runway with slow, deliberate steps. Their corseted, calf-length dresses, intricately embellished with floral embroidery, resonated in harmony with the High Jewelry pieces they showcased. The diamonds, tourmalines, and pink sapphires adorning their wrists and décolletage sparkled beneath the stage lights, resembling glistening raindrops.
The collection featured delicate, almost whimsical florals clustered across collar bones, reminiscent of beaded friendship bracelets, infusing a youthful and playful aura. The standout piece of the night was an articulated choker, adorned with miniature, bejeweled illustrations of rainbows, suns, bumblebees, and trees, affectionately dubbed the “emoji necklace.”
The festivities continued the next day with another viewing of the collection and a three-course lunch on the manicured grounds of Villa d’Este. Dior’s homage to the playful and feminine left a lasting impression, echoing in the minds of guests as they departed on Riva boats across the shimmering waters of Lake Como.
