Mexico has long been inspiring the world of fashion, from its eclectic colors, natural materials and artisanal techniques. Most recently Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior’s Artistic Director, headed down to Oaxaca for the fashion house’s recent cruise collection shoot after falling in love with a black-and-white image from Mexico City-based photographer Graciela Iturbide.
Iturbide is known for her images of strong women, particularly her portraits of the Oaxacan tribe Juchitán. She has even done a photo series set in Frida Kahlo’s bathtub and one of young Mexican American women living in L.A.
“Graciela is a really sensitive person—you can feel her fragility. She’s strong and fragile at the same time,” Chiuri says. Iturbide’s rustic, natural style fit perfectly with Dior’s Western-influenced cruise collection that was inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe.
The shoot consisted of a variety of locations rich in Mexican culture including a limestone factory, a private hacienda, a mescal distillery and more. “Maria Grazia told me immediately that I could do whatever I wanted. She asked me to take my photographs the way I usually do, not to do something ‘fashion,’” explains Iturbide.
The result was a dream-like collection of photos showcasing the designs of Dior that perfectly blend into the surrounding Oaxacan landscape.
To view the original article on Elle, visit: elle.com/fashion/viva-la-fashion-revolution-december-2017