Let me start off with some definitions. You’ll need them to see this film. OK, you might not, but I sure did:
Haute couture noun \ˌōt-ku̇-ˈtu̇r\: the people and companies that create clothes that are very expensive and fashionable; also : the clothes they create
Atelier noun ate•lier \ˌa-təl-ˈyā\: a room where an artist works
One of the things I love most about movies is that in one movie house, you can juxtapose the saving of the universe right next to a little nothing documentary about clothes in all likelihood you’ll never see in public.
I should state right off the bat that fashion befuddles me. I understand the need and desire. Hell, I see 200+ new films a year; nobody has to lecture me on the importance of cultural awareness. But the hype? And the maddening elusiveness of the top-end stuff? I know Devil Wears Prada wants us to believe that runway modeling all filters to the common man eventually, but that’s not especially true, is it? People who pay $100k for a dress sometimes influence the masses, but a lot of the time, do not. It’s fair to say I’m not the target audience for this French documentary about a plucky li’l company called Christian Dior trying to pull off an event.
Dior and I begins with our introduction to Raf Simons, the new guy in charge of the works. Raf comes from men’s “ready to wear” fashions. Can he pull off the big show in just eight weeks? Oh my. The odds are not-at-all against him…can he do it anyway?
Before we’re introduced to Raf’s tastes, we get a look at our gang. Aw, look, one of the head designers has fallen for Raf’s #2, Pieter Mulier. “Too bad he’s gay.” How long have you been in the industry? If it’s more than 30 seconds, I bet that thought has come up before.
Raf is taken with the paintings of Sterling Ruby. He wishes to
incorporate them into his designs. OK, now we’re getting somewhere. I didn’t feel involved before, but with these innovations, I can truly understand the genius involved. I think I’m going to give each design a pet name. Hmmmm, there’s “Test pattern chic” and “That moment in Poltergeist when the girl gets sucked into another dimension” and, oh, who can forget “Blurry traffic in the rain?”
While watching, I wonder where fashion designers come from. Is it across the tracks? Is it the gritty Parisian streets? And before long, I get my wish. Check it out, Raf’s childhood home. Holy St. Elvis, look at that house! Look at that estate! What is this, 12 bedrooms, servants’ quarters and a private island with a view? Is this one of those places where you pay extra for the daily blue sky? Raf totally grew up a Nancy-boy. Yup, that fits. I now understand where fashion mavens originate.
Well, I shan’t give up the punchline. You’ll never know if Raffi and his pals pull off the show without watching. I will just say there was a lot of White Chicks make up and Western Europe probably was short flowers for a month. But the rest of the “controversy” will have to stay under wraps.
Check that hem! Lose that hair!
Fashion is one intense affair
I want to play; please clothe my bare
All I need is a mil to spare
Not Rated, 90 Minutes
D: Frédéric Tcheng
W: Frédéric Tcheng
Genre: French fashion fun fest!
Type of person most likely to enjoy this film: Clothes horse
Type of person least likely to enjoy this film: I’d say about 99.9% of children
