Katniss Everdeen, You Would Have Loved Dior SS25

Images Courtesy: Umberto Fratini / Gorunway.com

RIP Katniss Everdeen, you would have loved Dior’s spring/summer 2025 collection.

In light of the recent 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic games, Maria Grazia Chiuri’s latest collection featured archery, athletic wear, and gladiator costumes with a high-fashion twist.

Chiuri partnered with multidisciplinary artist Sofia Ginevra Ganni, or SAGG Napoli, known for her video, sculpture, and installation art. Opening the show, SAGG Napoli strutted down, holding a bow to the sounds of FKA Twigs’ “Eusexua.” She then entered a long glass box stretched in the center runway and began shooting at a target as models started to walk by.

A powerhouse of celebrity ambassadors, such as Rosalia, Natalie Portman, Anya Taylor Joy, Kelly Rutherford, and Blackpink’s Jisoo, were sitting in the front row at the Musée Rodin, where the show was held.

For a spring collection, it was dark and monotonous, with more than half the looks being black and white. Several featured knee-high lace-up boots, which are very reminiscent of 2015; Others highlighted knee-high sandals that Paul Mescal could wear in his upcoming Gladiator ll press run.

Many looks resembled Katniss Everdeen as the Mocking Jay in The Hunger Games franchise. Long-sleeve leather gloves and reconstructed, off-the-shoulder, and asymmetrical tops were paired with lengthy, baggy bottoms. Across-the-shoulder bags were modeled to look like an archer’s bow, and thick fringe skirts resembled that of a gladiator. Modern athletic wear was also featured, with knee-length boxing shorts and knee-high sneakers. Jerseys paired with evening dresses and glitter-embellished sports shirts.

Chiuri’s intention behind the collection was reconnection. “[The] spring-summer 2025 ready-to-wear collection is to recapitulate the meaning of the garment as if each model has been given the chance to speak and reveal the work preceding its own construction,” according to the show notes. Digging into the archives, she was inspired by the fall/winter 1951-1952 collection which “takes her to the legendary female figure, known for her strength of spirit.”

Neither terrible nor interesting, Chiuri has proved once again that her version of Dior is a house fallen far from the greats of Karl Lagerfeld and John Galliano. For a collection meant to “exalts the force and assertive power of contemporary femininity,” it felt very lackluster and lost. An ode to the Olympics? Yes. A revival in femininity? No.

Strike Out,

Morgann Rhule

Boca Raton

Morgann (yes with 2 n’s) is the Editorial and Web Director for Strike Magazine Boca. You can reach her on insta @morgannrhule or email morgannrhule@gmail.com