French and British Fashion Collide: Highlights of Dior’s Resort 2017 Runway Show in Oxfordshire

French luxury fashion house Christian Dior, recently had it’s Resort 2017 runway show in  England at the Blenheim Palace. Christian Dior himself showed a collection at Blenheim in 1954, so did his successor Yves Saint Laurent in 1958. Dior’s current design team is headed by Lucie Meier and Serge Ruffieux, both conveniently Swiss, holding down the fort since the departure of Raf Simons and they decided to show this collection at the grand historic venue. The show was a two day affair with a series of events.

The traditional English cabs were decorated with Dior’s iconic cannage motif to celebrate the Dior Cruise/Resort 2017 fashion show.

According to Vogue.com, “The pair (of Dior designers) mixed classic Dior shapes with British motifs,” the show was a marriage of French and British fashion in perfect British weather. And a perfect day in the UK wouldn’t be complete without rain and a late train, which were both unavoidable at the show but that didn’t stop anything!

Prior to the show, guests were treated to a festive evening at The Lady Dior Pub, a one-night-only pop-up bar in London. Before this they were given a menu card with their invites to pick what they’ll have for breakfast on board the ‘Dior Express’ train to Blenheim Palace.

Once at Blenheim Palace, guests were greeted by some Dior-clad bellboys and shown around an exhibition of archival Dior pieces from the two collections shown at the palace in ’54 and ’58. After this they were ushered into another room for the runway show.

Among the celebrity guests in attendance were Alexa Chung, Elizabeth Olsen, Kiernan Shipka, Kate Beckinsale and The Weeknd (of course to support his boo, Bella Hadid who walked the runway for the show and is the new face of Dior Makeup).

WOODSTOCK, ENGLAND – MAY 31: Alexa Chung attends as Christian Dior showcases its spring summer 2017 cruise collection at Blenheim Palace on May 31, 2016 in Woodstock, England.

WOODSTOCK, ENGLAND – MAY 31: Elizabeth Olsen attends as Christian Dior showcases its spring summer 2017 cruise collection at Blenheim Palace on May 31, 2016 in Woodstock, England.

Kiernan Shipka attends as Christian Dior showcases its spring summer 2017 cruise collection at Blenheim Palace on May 31, 2016 in Woodstock, England.

WOODSTOCK, ENGLAND – MAY 31: Kate Beckinsale attends as Christian Dior showcases its spring summer 2017 cruise collection at Blenheim Palace on May 31, 2016 in Woodstock, England.

WOODSTOCK, ENGLAND – MAY 31: The Weeknd attends as Christian Dior showcases its spring summer 2017 cruise collection at Blenheim Palace on May 31, 2016 in Woodstock, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

The collection was a parade of prints with bold eye makeup and statement chocker necklaces bulging with prominent pendants. In the midst of prints, there were bursts of colour and crisp white ensembles in a mixture of feminine and androgynous silhouettes.

The gold-soled chunky boots and the mix of ladylike purses and butch inspired backpacks were the perfect accessories to match the collection’s androgyny.

WOODSTOCK, ENGLAND – MAY 31: Models walk the runway during the Christian Dior Spring Summer 2017 Cruise collection at Blenheim Palace on May 31, 2016 in Woodstock, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

WOODSTOCK, ENGLAND – MAY 31: Models. bag detail, walk the runway during the Christian Dior Spring Summer 2017 Cruise collection at Blenheim Palace on May 31, 2016 in Woodstock, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

WOODSTOCK, ENGLAND – MAY 31: Models, bag detail, walk the runway during the Christian Dior Spring Summer 2017 Cruise collection at Blenheim Palace on May 31, 2016 in Woodstock, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

WOODSTOCK, ENGLAND – MAY 31: Models walk the runway during the Christian Dior Spring Summer 2017 Cruise collection at Blenheim Palace on May 31, 2016 in Woodstock, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

Aside from Dior Makeup ambassador Bella Hadid walking the runway, our girl Mayowa Nicholas was also in the line up. Click here to see our most recent post on the rising supermodel.

Watch the Show 

The Designers

Sources & Photo Credits:David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images, Instagram | @dior, @chiaraferragni, @luciavio