Fashion

17 of the Best Looks from Dior's Spring 2014 Show, the Grown-Up Garden Party

Oh my Dior. Everything about today's show was just lovely, as Raf Simon re-imagined the garden party with a achingly beautiful setting, strong golden brows (!!!), creeping-vine jewelry, and enough huge peplums, mouthwatering colors, and metallic-floral ball gowns to keep the most cynical of ladies smiling. But this was hardly a girly show, despite the abundance of sparkle and floral. There were plenty of all-black, tailored looks, dresses with mysterious post-modern text, and even the makeup — so crazy-pretty up close — turned sternly confident from a distance. You can come into the garden, but you better dress up for it.

by Tori Telfer

Oh my Dior. Everything about today's show was just lovely, as Raf Simon re-imagined the garden party with a achingly beautiful setting, strong golden brows (!!!), creeping-vine jewelry, and enough huge peplums, mouthwatering colors, and metallic-floral ball gowns to keep the most cynical of ladies smiling. But this was hardly a girly show, despite the abundance of sparkle and floral. There were plenty of all-black, tailored looks, dresses with mysterious post-modern text, and even the makeup — so crazy-pretty up close — turned sternly confident from a distance. You can come into the garden, but you better dress up for it.

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The Musée Rodin was transformed into a colorful dreamland for Dior, with acres of bright foliage hanging from the ceiling. Not even a series of crisp all-black outfits could bring this setting down.

Image: @vaughnlowery via Instagram

Hello, is this Midas eye the most magical thing you've ever seen or what? When you're dealing with bright yellow eyeliner and a brow encrusted with gold, mascara is only going to hold you back.

Image: @intothegloss via Instagram

The opening look was a lovely pleated floral skirt grounded with razor-sharp pumps and a blazer with secretive side slits.

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This dreamy outfit was my personal favorite look from the collection. I'd pair a loose pink sweater with a sheer skirt and a major necklace any day.

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Just when you thought cutouts couldn't get any more innovative, here's an oversized keyhole paired with a crop top. And check out the model heading back on the right — layered cutouts are a thing now? Noted.

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A shirtdress is just a shirtdress... until you cut the shoulders off. We saw this exposed-shoulder look at Balenciaga, too, so we're calling it: the shoulder is the new clavicle.

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The power suit apparently doesn't need collars — or monochrome tones — to work. What it does need, however, is texture. And color. And shine. And embellishment. And a fantastic cummerbund.

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Nipples are everywhere this month! But let's focus on that gorgeous skirt and the shockingly fresh combination of pink and bright silver.

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Silver skirt, gold eyeshadow, and nobody to tell you no.

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If you don't understand why I need a dress that says "hyperrealness," we can't be friends. Is this text supposed to mimic a news ticker? The pretentious notes we scribble in our Moleskines? I love it, I don't care.

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On paper, a sleeveless oversized shiny pink '80s blazer paired with a wisp of sheer yellow fabric shouldn't work at all. But somehow, through the inexplicable magic of Dior (is it the gold eyebrows again?), the look is stunning.

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This slightly boxy black skirt suit is phenomenally flattering, but the cluster of yellow flowers creeping over the shoulder (like a giant caterpillar... had to point that out) makes it one of the best, if simplest, looks of the show.

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Love the punchy springtime colors bookended by silver and black.

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This voluminous dress anticipated a series of huge peplumed tops that showed up later in the show. But check out the model with her back turned – these bold, striped dresses almost vanish from the back.

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The ribbons of fabric on this series of dresses mimic the shape of paper lanterns — the OG garden party accessory.

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After the individual looks went down the runway, Raf Simon sent out a cluster of gorgeous, metallic-floral ball gowns and sharp black suits that seemed ready-made for his celebrity clientele (and Natalie Portman will don one of these dresses in 3... 2...).

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Last but not least, the shoes — vaguely athletic, reminiscent of the Roman god Mercury's winged sandals, and occasionally clustered with flowers. If there's a way to look light on your feet in stilettos, this is surely it.

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