Raf Simons’ penultimate couture collection for the house of Dior was a thoughtful exercise in experimentation. The Belgium fashion designer challenged the conventional boundaries of couture throughout his short tenure at the categorically French house; season after season, ever so slightly skewing the world’s understanding of fashion’s most luxurious practice. The youthful sophistication that Simons achieved was never so palpable as for his spring/summer 2015 couture collection for the house. Evading the categorical ‘Dior’ calling cards – the bar jacket, for one, was not within his design vernacular this season – Simons instead experimented with juxtaposing proportions – mini skirts worn with floor-grazing vests, for example – as well as with materiality – plastic, for one, printed with floral designs – and sublime couture techniques, such as tightly pleated flaring dresses finished with colorful strips of ribbon. This youthquake of 60s and 70s-era designs had models putting their best foot forward in thigh-high colorful latex boots, appearing as if their legs had been dipped in liquid plastic. A welcomed interpretation of a house still so tightly rooted to its founding in 1946.
![Dior ss 2015 couture muse board](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/55qB9yqTnqK6GKEYqKAwA/8099fd97e2956f64622d077b31ec3fc8/Dior_SS_2015_Couture_Muse_Board.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
References
- 1
- 2
Jean Royère
2-Branched Wall Lamp, 1945
![Jean royere sconce 1945](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2Y4Bnfm8qcM20U0Waea28Y/87588d20f37085ac570cb3e267c3956b/Jean_Royere_-_Sconce_-_1945.jpg)
Frank Lloyd Wright
SC Johnson Wax Headquarters, 1950. Photographed by Ezra Stoller
![Johnson wax tower in racine wis. by architect frank lloyd wright 1950 photographed by ezra stoller](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5ZVkw4KxOM2oaoSmkqu80O/01bdd225db9493835291023165c7212e/Johnson_Wax_Tower_in_Racine_Wis.__by_architect_Frank_Lloyd_Wright__1950__photographed_by_Ezra_Stoller.jpg)
Paul Sharits
Frozen Film Frame, (Detail) Foto- Nils Klinger
![Paul sharits frozen film frame detail foto nils klinger](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2axX5juCewSSSmEuMoIy0G/d32d1eb8c301b61c771db6fc0ab9c77d/Paul_Sharits__Frozen_Film_Frame___Detail__Foto-_Nils_Klinger.jpg)
Vanessa Redgrave wearing Oscar de la Renta
Image by Bert Stern, Vogue 1967
![Vanessa redgrave wearing oscar de la renta by bert stern. vogue 1967](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4tHsj5V2jumommcMEMsCsw/a79c360669f3101664c5e24cac9ceaa4/Vanessa_Redgrave_wearing_Oscar_de_la_Renta_by_Bert_Stern._Vogue_1967.jpg)
De Pas D'Urbino Lomazzi
Blow Inflatable Armchair, 1967
![B2f343876b62723099d55275354ea05d](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/pY4KAiZMOGwucai4KCOCe/9fb526558ed967979aae0d57a0ce9ae0/b2f343876b62723099d55275354ea05d.jpg)
Felix Gonzalez-Torres
Untitled (Portrait of Ross in LA), 1991
![Felix gonzalez torres untitled portrait of ross in la 1991](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4xEYxMKH9umQ0Ka0UiOi68/44d158a750bd4d89bd116f9506d634c9/FElix_Gonzalez-Torres__Untitled__Portrait_of_Ross_in_LA___1991.jpg)
Beth Levine
The Stocking Shoe, 1960's
Jim Lambie
Installation at the Fruitmarket Gallery, 2014
![14420516840 e7e9cdce0f b](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/52WRy155XaAeCKkCaW0ywA/6ed9f55b8ea564c36ab9eb654b1c3ac4/14420516840_e7e9cdce0f_b.jpg)
Christian Dior
1967 Couture
![Christian dior nrc couture dutch march 1967](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7ePNYOqYFi86USWWOW0e0u/8d8d5f6b766596098d2b713b5a9698bf/CHRISTIAN_DIOR_-_NRC_Couture__Dutch__March_1967.jpg)
Donyale Luna
British Vogue Editorial, March 1966
Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann
Velvet fabric, 1913
![Emile jacques ruhlmann tissu velours velvet fabric en 1913](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1BSWBYH5D6AcaIyqKGMY0c/884b2ea103498de1a47e934d2d0b340f/Emile_Jacques_Ruhlmann_Tissu_velours__Velvet_fabric__en_1913_.jpg)
Frank Lloyd Wright
SC Johnson Wax Headquarters, 1950
![Frank lloyd wright sc johnson wax headquarters completed 1950](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1pCGWyReoImmwUmWUMS2Ws/c4c90ba04011e359a74d9a044d3f1bd0/Frank_Lloyd_Wright_SC_Johnson_Wax_Headquarters_completed_1950.jpg)
Eero Saarinen
Miller House, with Interiors by Alexander Girard, 1953
![J irwin miller house designed by eero saarinen with interiors by alexander girard 1953](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/76R8VoJlrqm8ko0ieQ2uoM/28846d497411128ade5f032979c28936/J_Irwin_Miller_House_designed_by_Eero_Saarinen_with_Interiors_by_Alexander_Girard__1953.jpeg)
Josef Frank
"Loops" on Linen
Niki De Saint Phalle
Mini Nana Acrobate, 1968
![Mini nana acrobate 1968](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4jHVR3f59ei2mQiIYqEYUm/d7373f11c9df74ec708dbece93ca87ee/Mini_nana_acrobate__1968.png)
Niki De Saint Phalle
Untitled (Nana), 1968
![Niki de saint phalle untitled nana 1968](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3o4uXEhpAkk8oS8ugUeIY0/3f628ba8931fa4d3797621d933e95b36/Niki_De_Saint_Phalle__Untitled__Nana___1968.jpg)
Niki De Saint Phalle
Sphinx, 1975
![Sphinx 1975](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3MEpdDHRBCamESmEaaKmIC/4fc684c9294d122ea786f8791187d2d3/Sphinx__1975.jpg)
The Kaleidoscope Pavilion at Expo '67
Montréal, Canada
![The kaleidoscope on notre dame island. expo 67 montre al que bec canada ii](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5rYGAdekTewsq4WeaIukGS/2ee30bf0ec1dc583d570e34108872f2e/The_Kaleidoscope__on_Notre-Dame_Island._Expo_67__Montre__al__Que__bec__Canada_II.jpg)
Verner Panton
Varna Palace, Arhus, Danemark, 1971
![Verner panton varna palace arhus danemark 1971](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6M6Yx3b8qWMsAEccM2geiA/2f0aae5855666281f04929883dd36e5f/Verner_Panton__Varna_Palace__Arhus__Danemark__1971.png)
References
![Jean royere sconce 1945](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2Y4Bnfm8qcM20U0Waea28Y/87588d20f37085ac570cb3e267c3956b/Jean_Royere_-_Sconce_-_1945.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jean Royère
2-Branched Wall Lamp, 1945
1 of 20
![Johnson wax tower in racine wis. by architect frank lloyd wright 1950 photographed by ezra stoller](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5ZVkw4KxOM2oaoSmkqu80O/01bdd225db9493835291023165c7212e/Johnson_Wax_Tower_in_Racine_Wis.__by_architect_Frank_Lloyd_Wright__1950__photographed_by_Ezra_Stoller.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Frank Lloyd Wright
SC Johnson Wax Headquarters, 1950. Photographed by Ezra Stoller
2 of 20
![Paul sharits frozen film frame detail foto nils klinger](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2axX5juCewSSSmEuMoIy0G/d32d1eb8c301b61c771db6fc0ab9c77d/Paul_Sharits__Frozen_Film_Frame___Detail__Foto-_Nils_Klinger.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Paul Sharits
Frozen Film Frame, (Detail) Foto- Nils Klinger
3 of 20
![Vanessa redgrave wearing oscar de la renta by bert stern. vogue 1967](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4tHsj5V2jumommcMEMsCsw/a79c360669f3101664c5e24cac9ceaa4/Vanessa_Redgrave_wearing_Oscar_de_la_Renta_by_Bert_Stern._Vogue_1967.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Vanessa Redgrave wearing Oscar de la Renta
Image by Bert Stern, Vogue 1967
4 of 20
![B2f343876b62723099d55275354ea05d](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/pY4KAiZMOGwucai4KCOCe/9fb526558ed967979aae0d57a0ce9ae0/b2f343876b62723099d55275354ea05d.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
De Pas D'Urbino Lomazzi
Blow Inflatable Armchair, 1967
5 of 20
![Felix gonzalez torres untitled portrait of ross in la 1991](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4xEYxMKH9umQ0Ka0UiOi68/44d158a750bd4d89bd116f9506d634c9/FElix_Gonzalez-Torres__Untitled__Portrait_of_Ross_in_LA___1991.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Felix Gonzalez-Torres
Untitled (Portrait of Ross in LA), 1991
6 of 20
Beth Levine
The Stocking Shoe, 1960's
7 of 20
![14420516840 e7e9cdce0f b](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/52WRy155XaAeCKkCaW0ywA/6ed9f55b8ea564c36ab9eb654b1c3ac4/14420516840_e7e9cdce0f_b.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jim Lambie
Installation at the Fruitmarket Gallery, 2014
9 of 20
![Christian dior nrc couture dutch march 1967](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7ePNYOqYFi86USWWOW0e0u/8d8d5f6b766596098d2b713b5a9698bf/CHRISTIAN_DIOR_-_NRC_Couture__Dutch__March_1967.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Christian Dior
1967 Couture
10 of 20
Donyale Luna
British Vogue Editorial, March 1966
11 of 20
![Emile jacques ruhlmann tissu velours velvet fabric en 1913](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1BSWBYH5D6AcaIyqKGMY0c/884b2ea103498de1a47e934d2d0b340f/Emile_Jacques_Ruhlmann_Tissu_velours__Velvet_fabric__en_1913_.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann
Velvet fabric, 1913
12 of 20
![Frank lloyd wright sc johnson wax headquarters completed 1950](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1pCGWyReoImmwUmWUMS2Ws/c4c90ba04011e359a74d9a044d3f1bd0/Frank_Lloyd_Wright_SC_Johnson_Wax_Headquarters_completed_1950.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Frank Lloyd Wright
SC Johnson Wax Headquarters, 1950
13 of 20
![J irwin miller house designed by eero saarinen with interiors by alexander girard 1953](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/76R8VoJlrqm8ko0ieQ2uoM/28846d497411128ade5f032979c28936/J_Irwin_Miller_House_designed_by_Eero_Saarinen_with_Interiors_by_Alexander_Girard__1953.jpeg?w=1000&q=70)
Eero Saarinen
Miller House, with Interiors by Alexander Girard, 1953
14 of 20
Josef Frank
"Loops" on Linen
15 of 20
![Mini nana acrobate 1968](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4jHVR3f59ei2mQiIYqEYUm/d7373f11c9df74ec708dbece93ca87ee/Mini_nana_acrobate__1968.png?w=1000&q=70)
Niki De Saint Phalle
Mini Nana Acrobate, 1968
16 of 20
![Niki de saint phalle untitled nana 1968](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3o4uXEhpAkk8oS8ugUeIY0/3f628ba8931fa4d3797621d933e95b36/Niki_De_Saint_Phalle__Untitled__Nana___1968.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Niki De Saint Phalle
Untitled (Nana), 1968
17 of 20
![Sphinx 1975](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3MEpdDHRBCamESmEaaKmIC/4fc684c9294d122ea786f8791187d2d3/Sphinx__1975.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Niki De Saint Phalle
Sphinx, 1975
18 of 20
![The kaleidoscope on notre dame island. expo 67 montre al que bec canada ii](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5rYGAdekTewsq4WeaIukGS/2ee30bf0ec1dc583d570e34108872f2e/The_Kaleidoscope__on_Notre-Dame_Island._Expo_67__Montre__al__Que__bec__Canada_II.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
The Kaleidoscope Pavilion at Expo '67
Montréal, Canada
19 of 20
![Verner panton varna palace arhus danemark 1971](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6M6Yx3b8qWMsAEccM2geiA/2f0aae5855666281f04929883dd36e5f/Verner_Panton__Varna_Palace__Arhus__Danemark__1971.png?w=1000&q=70)