Book review – Dior Images: Paolo Roversi

TIMELESS. Iconic and Glamorous. All words that describe Dior and the new book, Dior Images: Paolo Roversi makes it picture perfectly clear why. It is a celebration of the renowned Italian photographer’s longstanding collaboration with the famous couture house. The photographs included were taken over the last 27 years and have been featured in Vogue Paris, Vogue Italia, British Vogue and W magazine.

Dior Images: Paolo Roversi – book cover

Kimoja ensemble Spring/Summer 1997 Haute Couture collection by John Galliano.
First published in W Magazine April 1997

San Carlo ensemble Spring/Summer 1961 Haute Couture collection Slim Look line by Marc Bohan. Stylist Alex White. First published in VOGUE Australia August 2017

Models such as Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Tami Williams wear garments by the many creative directors who have took the helm of Dior including Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Christian Dior himself. All of the models were shot on polaroid film with a large format camera against minimal backgrounds, so all the attention is on the models posing in the clothes. This style also appears very dream-like.

Spring Summer 2015 Haute Couture collection by Raf Simons, model Kate Moss.
First published in W Magazine April 2015

Shalimar Dress Autumn/Winter 1996 Haute Couture collection by Gianfranco Ferre.
Model Naomi Campbell. First published in VOGUE ITALIA September 1996

Monaco Dress Spring/Summer 1959 Haute Couture collection Longue line
by Yves Saint Laurent. Model Sofia Mechetner

Metamorphique dress Spring/Summer 2017 Haute Couture collection
by Maria Grazia Chiuri. First published in Dior Magazine Summer 2017

Voyageur suit Autumn/Winter 1955 Haute Couture collection Y line
by Christian Dior. Model Tami Williams

All the pictures are stunning, but a favourite of ours is of Tami Williams wearing the junon dress from Autumn/Winter 1949 Haute Couture collection. Despite being blurred, the distinct petal-shaped skirt is still visible and the beautiful intricate beading and embroidery glistens. This blurred effect is a signature of Roversi’s and makes his images come alive.

Junon dress Autumn/Winter 1949 Haute Couture collection
Milieu du Siecle line by Christian Dior. Model Tami Williams

by Tom Halford

Dior Images: Paolo Roversi (Rizzoli International Publications)

The book is available at Foyles (£95.00)