Yagi embodies the brand’s quintessential elegance (All photos: Dior)
Couturier Christian Dior might have forged the DNA of his eponymous brand but its aesthetic was guided by a retinue of women, whose opinions also shaped fashion’s contemporary identity. Not only were clothing details hammered out under strict supervision, but picking the right ambassadors to represent the maison was equally exacting.
The new face of the brand, Japanese actress Rikako Yagi donned a cream blouse-jacket with motifs in matching silk cordonnet at Dior’s haute couture spring/summer show recently, did not look out of place.
Japan holds an exalted place in the luxury house, as evidenced by their past alliance, from the Utamaro, Tokyo and Rashomon silhouettes thought up by Monsieur Dior in 1954 to creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri’s reimagination of the Jardin Japonais dress for its haute couture spring/summer 2017 line. The latter highlighted the changing standards of what defines a dress and explored the idea of femininity as power.
Enlisting star power like Yagi, who embodies the brand’s quintessential elegance, puts conversation into the storied relationship between the Asian fashion capital and Dior.
“I am honoured to experience the enchanting world and spirit of Dior, a historical and iconic house, with you,” announces the rising starlet, who gained massive fandom for her appearance in Netflix’s 2022 hit series First Love.
This article first appeared on Feb 5, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
