Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
The art of the documentary is to give you a glimpse into a world that you may never have imagined being drawn into. To step so far out of your comfort zone, to truly take in what is being said about a subject that you may have absolutely no interest in whatsoever and to give you an appreciation, a glimmering of insight and comprehension in the complex lives of others. It is to thank inwardly the documentary makers for their diligence; even if at the end of it you are still none the wiser for the fascination of said subject.
In Dior and I, Frederic Tcheng’s insightful look at fashion designer Raf Simons first foray into the world of Haute Couture for fashion house Christian Dior is one that might leave a certain cross section utterly bemused by the behind the scenes look at the world of fashion. However, it is nonetheless a compelling, perhaps even gripping, study into what makes a person tick when faced with a unique opportunity and the pressure of living up to one of the biggest names in their chosen field.
Even if the thought of fashion leaves you bemused, perhaps cold and slightly uneasy, to see the strength of will at play as Raf Simons and his highly specialised, incredibly technical team live up to the very high standards imposed by the founding father of the fashion house is to understand that human endeavour is perhaps not just limited to the brave and courageous who traverse continents in search of lost horizons. It is not just bound to a sportsman overcoming the odds to win Olympic Gold or even the daring and nerve of somebody standing up to overwhelming savagery and injustice but comes in all shapes and sizes, whims and battles.
With Raf Simons given the herculean task of producing a new collection as his first assignment, as well as the added stress of making the collection a showcase an exciting afternoon in which celebrities, his bosses and his team will adore. The anxiety on Mr. Simons face might not be as touching as watching someone conquer Everest or overcome hardship but it is a fascinating delve between the lace and velvet.
Even if fashion is not your thing, and for many it is perhaps just an excuse for vanity, Dior and I is a documentary that captures a truth, that life is not just about what you perceive, it is taking into account other’s points of view and allowing them space to show their belief, no matter the form that it takes.
A film of great style and surprising substance, Dior and I is certainly in vogue.
Ian D. Hall