Dior in Scotland, the documentary paying tribute to Scotland and its tartan
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If you’re looking for something to watch between two Christmas movies, here’s our recommendation for your weekend planning! Shared a few days ago on YouTube, the documentary Dior in Scotland: The making of the Cruise 2025 collection traces the creation of the 2025 cruise show for the house, between the creation of tartans and the sounds of bagpipes. A journey to the heart of Scotland, its history, and traditions, where we meet local artisans preserving ancestral know-how.
How does history take center stage in the documentary Dior in Scotland?
The notion of history is inseparable from the creation of a collection. On one hand, the cuts, materials, and colors chosen act as narrators, inviting us to enter another universe. Then, the inspirations and methods used provide a dialogue between eras, allowing present and past to coexist. It is around this notion that the documentary Dior in Scotland: The making of the Cruise 2025 collection is constructed.
Christian Dior and Maria Grazia Chiuri, connected by the Scottish landscape
An astonishing and moving detail caught our eye during the Dior 2025 cruise show. Indeed, among the tartans, pearls, and other embroideries, photographs found their place on the kilts and knitwear. Straight from the archives of the house, these black and white images date back to Christian Dior’s visit to Scotland in the spring of 1955.
A journey that inspired, 70 years later, the current creator of the house to also come to these lands to create her cruise collection. A way to bridge the past and present of the house, and above all, to honor the rich and fascinating history of this country, particularly illustrated through its signature fabric, tartan.
How does tartan reflect the history of Scotland?
Beyond presenting the technical aspect of tartan making, the documentary Dior in Scotland emphasizes the history of the fabric and the symbol it conveys. This pattern, emblematic of the country, is both synonymous with tradition and rebellion. Signifying an affiliation with the country, and for some, a clan, its appearance and the evolution of its use fascinate as much as Maria Grazia Chiuri, who thus wished to create her own tartan for the “Dior Clan.”
Through encounters and discussions, we learn more about the variations of the fabric, its making, and how the craftsmanship associated with it continues through the ages across Scotland.
What is the significance of Mary Stuart in Dior’s 2025 cruise collection?
In addition to showcasing the emblematic fabric of Scotland, Maria Grazia Chiuri wished to draw inspiration from one of the most impactful women in its history. Queen of France at 16, widowed at 18, and then imprisoned for nearly 19 years in England, Mary, Queen of Scots’ life trajectory is one of the most tragic. Nevertheless, her influence is observed not only in the history of the country but also in embroidery and feminism.
Indeed, while cut off from the world during her years of imprisonment, she found in embroidery a way to circumvent obstacles to express herself and tell her story. These exceptional pieces, signed by her needle (some of which I was able to observe at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh), attest to her strong character and refusal to be defeated.
The artistic creator of Dior thus wished to pay homage to her through pieces from her cruise collection. We were able to discover her portrait in print, accompanied by keywords resonating with her personality, and bringing strength and a feminist character to the pieces. These same words were embroidered on other creations to echo Mary Stuart’s needlework, in a way giving her back her voice. Additionally, some cuts are inspired by outfits she might have worn, all accessorized with pearls and other jewelry.
How does the 2025 Dior in Scotland cruise collection highlight different crafts?
The strength of the documentary, in my view, is that it does not primarily focus on Dior, but emphasizes all the Scottish artisans and their various crafts. The notion of tradition and transmission is at the heart of the narrative, thus bringing a very human aspect to the format. The knowledge of authors also provides valuable insight into the evolution of costumes over time and the significance of Mary Stuart’s embroideries.
How is the 2025 cruise collection primarily a story of collaborations?
Throughout the documentary, Maria Grazia Chiuri meets with local artisans to understand their heritage, their work, and imagine how to collaborate together. From the making of tartan, to the crafting of a kilt, or even illustrations on porcelain… Many trades are highlighted, thus underscoring the importance of each in the process of making a piece and adding value to every step of production, from cleaning to dyeing, spinning, weaving, quality control, cutting, and assembly…
From Harris Tweed Hebrides to Johnstons of Elgin, including Samantha McCoach from The Kilt, Robert Mackie, Esk Cashmere, and Pollyanna Johnson… These portraits and encounters highlight the importance of transmission to perpetuate these crafts. They also underscore the creation of a dialogue between tradition and modernity, and how these pieces continue to hold an important place, both in everyday life and in the sketchbooks of designers.
What role did nature play in the 2025 collection and runway?
Nature and the Scottish landscapes are inseparable from tartan. Indeed, it is the colors of the highlands, lakes, and other expanses of greenery that inspire the colors and patterns of the fabric. For her “Dior Clan” tartan, Maria Grazia Chiuri chose a hue combining notes of purple and green to make it easy to wear and match.
These tones were also found in the gardens of Drummond Castle, where the show took place. This green setting, inspired by the style of Italian and French Renaissance gardens, presented as a perfect continuation of the link between nature and the collection. Two landscapers enriched the flowerbeds with various flowers, plants, and shrubs adding notes of burgundy, purple, and green to extend this theme.
And, quite naturally, to the melodies of the bagpipers, the creations of the Dior 2025 cruise collection were revealed, enchanting the entire world.
Returning myself from Scotland, I enjoyed diving back into the atmosphere of the country through the documentary. The emphasis on Scottish traditions and craftsmanship, through the portraits of these artisans, makes it a format that is not only interesting but also very touching. Furthermore, we can see Stephen Jones, who is currently featured in the event exhibition at the Palais Galliera “Chapeaux d’artiste”.
If you want to complete your weekend watchlist, we invite you to discover the Mubi documentary Who is Sabato De Sarno? A Gucci Story, which traces the first collection of the designer for the Italian house, and for which Paul Mescal lent his voice.
Link to the documentary on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAG_jaWTCVU
