Out-of-this-world architecture once again united with high fashion for Dior's 2016 Cruise collection, set within the bulbous terracotta surrounds of Pierre Cardin's holiday home 'Palais Bulles'.
Perched above the Bay of Cannes, the awe-inspiring abode was designed by Hungarian architect Antti Lovag and constructed between 1975 and 1989. The Cote d'Azur property was bought by Cardin in 1992 and provided an epic encore to last week's Louis Vuitton show at Bob Hope's Palm Springs casa.
The 12,900 sq foot residence, which includes 26 interconnected pods (inspired by Inuit dwellings), offered a compelling utopian setting for Raf Simons' resort vision for Dior. 'In many ways it is a form of architecture you cannot connect to another,' he said of Bubble Palace. 'It is more human than rational; individual and playful. It is a place that I have been fascinated by for a number of years.' Simons first learned of the site when he was studying industrial design, while its location also neatly ties in with Dior's long affiliation with the area - Monsieur Dior's home stands in the South of France village of Montauroux.
Not surprisingly, the event's architectural focus extended right onto the show's snaking runway, which saw Cardin seated in the front row. (The iconic designer worked besides Christian Dior from 1946 as his head of tailoring.)
Opening with clashing checks (cue silk gingham shorts and Lurex kilts), the trans-seasonal collection mixed high-tech fabrics with resort classics like knitted tennis dresses and sailor's shorts. Inspired by the Mediterranean landscape's hues and textures, 'Collection Crosière' saw homespun textiles united with a burnt colour palette and a sporty playfullness. Silhouettes were abbreviated to mid-thigh length - even on new, deck-worthy Bar suits - and were teamed back with leather flip-flops or less beachy, pointed ankle booties. The knitted 'swimsuits' and mismatched earrings were also no doubt destined for more action than the boardwalk.
The 12,900 sq foot residence offered a compelling setting for Raf Simons' resort vision for Dior
Perched above the Bay of Cannes, the awe-inspiring abode was designed by Hungarian architect Antti Lovag and constructed between 1975 and 1989
'In many ways it is a form of architecture you cannot connect to another,' said Simons of the Bubble Palace
'It is more human than rational; individual and playful. It is a place that I have been fascinated by for a number of years'
The bulbous terracotta surrounds of 'Palais Bulles'
Simons first learned of the site when he was studying industrial design; 'It is a place that I have been fascinated by for a number of years'
Cardin's infinity pool, offering views of Southern France's coastline
The house is made up of 26 interconnected pods (inspired by Inuit dwellings) that lent a certain utopian feel to the whole event
Not surprisingly the event's architectural focus extended right onto the show's snaking runway
The show opened with clashing checks from silk gingham shorts to Lurex kilts
The trans-seasonal collection mixed high-tech fabrics with resort classics. The setting's hues and textures were picked up in the collection's homespun textiles and burnt colour palette
'Collection Crosière' was inspired by the local landscape's earth, sky and sea
Silhouettes were abbreviated from mid-thigh length to just skimming the knee
The show presented a conversation between the natural and industrial realms
Knitted 'swimsuits' are no doubt destined to get more action than the beachside boardwalk
The Cote d'Azur property was bought by Cardin in 1992
The terracotta earthiness of Cardin's home provided an epic encore to last week's Louis Vuitton show at Bob Hope's Palm Springs casa
The setting also neatly tied in with Dior's long affiliation with the area - Monsieur Dior's home stands in the South of France village of Montauroux
-
A day in Ahmedabad – tour the Indian city’s captivating architectureIndia’s Ahmedabad has a thriving architecture scene and a rich legacy; architect, writer and photographer Nipun Prabhakar shares his tips for the perfect tour
-
You can now stay in one of Geoffrey Bawa’s most iconic urban designsOnly true Bawa fans know about this intimate building, and it’s just opened as Colombo’s latest boutique hotel
-
Pentagram’s identity for eVTOL brand Vertical Aerospace gives its future added liftAs Vertical Aerospace reveals Valo, a new air taxi for a faster, zero-emission future, the brand has turned to Pentagram to help shape its image for future customers
-
Inside Christian de Portzamparc’s showstopping House of Dior Beijing: ‘sculptural, structural, alive’Daven Wu travels to Beijing to discover Dior’s dramatic new store, a vast temple to fashion that translates haute couture into architectural form
-
Zooming in on Jonathan Anderson’s first accessories collection for DiorWallpaper* takes a closer look at the accessories which appeared as part of the Northern Irish designer’s first womenswear collection for the house, which debuted in Paris in October
-
‘Change is inevitable’: Jonathan Anderson’s first Dior womenswear collection recodes the house’s archiveAn audacious collection from the Northern Irish designer, presented in Paris this afternoon, saw him reconsider the Dior archive in his unwaveringly inventive style
-
Power suits, thigh-high boots, dangerous glamour: these looks capture A/W 2025’s defining trendsFrom riffs on the working uniform to a mood of dangerous glamour, the A/W 2025 collections encapsulated in 12 distinctive looks and accessories
-
Step inside Dior’s enchanting New York flagshipThe legendary French fashion house brings a new look to the Big Apple, featuring animatronic bees, dazzling displays and even its very own spa
-
Haute Couture Week A/W 2025: what to expectFive moments to look out for at Haute Couture Week A/W 2025 in Paris (starting Monday 7 July), from Glenn Martens’ debut for Maison Margiela to Demna’s Balenciaga swansong. Plus, ‘new beginnings’ from JW Anderson
-
Jonathan Anderson’s Dior debut: ‘bringing joy to the art of dressing’The Irish designer made his much-anticipated debut at Dior this afternoon, presenting a youthful S/S 2026 menswear collection that reworked formal dress codes
-
What the Wallpaper* editors are looking forward to at Men’s Fashion Week S/S 2026As Men’s Fashion Week S/S 2026 begins in Florence, the Wallpaper* style team select the moments they will be looking out for – from Jonathan Anderson’s anticipated Dior debut to outings from Wales Bonner, Kiko Kostadinov and Prada
