Models Gonzalez Corona, Majesty Mare and Sophie Dominique invite us to a resort-capsule, art-inspired getaway, deeply grounded in nature and whimsy for Dior [IG]. Artist Niki de Saint Phalle is in the house and also the new issue of Dior Magazine.

Photographer Charlotte Hadden [IG] captures the trio styled by Tim Tobias Zimmermann. Susie Hong with Baron & Baron provides creative direction, with art direction by Giacomo De Maggi./Makeup by Petros

Niki de Saint Phalle: A Revolutionary Artist

Niki de Saint Phalle, a renowned French-American artist, left an indelible mark on the art world through her bold and innovative creations.

Born in 1930 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, Saint Phalle's artistic journey was one of self-discovery and defiance against societal norms. Her unique style merged elements of sculpture, painting, and performance art to challenge traditional perceptions of femininity and explore themes of empowerment, liberation, and personal expression.

Best known for her larger-than-life sculptures known as "Nanas," Saint Phalle's art aimed to empower and celebrate the female form, often in vibrant and exuberant colors. Her creations exuded a sense of joy and liberation, reflecting her own journey of overcoming personal struggles and societal constraints.

As a result, Saint Phalle and her art made her a vocal advocate for women's rights and social justice, prompting her to use her platform to address issues of gender inequality and the human experience throughout her life.

This background makes Niki de Saint Phalle a perfect muse for this January 2024 whimsical Dior capsule collection. However, house creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri has very high standards, when it comes to her muses.

There is more to the Niki de Saint Phalle story. The artist and activist’s connection with the prestigious House of Dior played a pivotal role in shaping her artistic trajectory.

Niki de Saint Phalle and the House of Dior

Initially working as a fashion model for the esteemed fashion house during the 1950s, Saint Phalle became acquainted with influential figures in the art world. This exposure provided her with invaluable insights into the realm of aesthetics and design, as she garnered the support of several Dior clients who recognized her potential as a creator.

In 1967, the artist with a rapidly growing international reputation was invited by Marc Bohan, then creative director of Dior, to collaborate on a collection that would challenge conventional notions of beauty and femininity.

At age 37, Saint Phalle's bold and vibrant Nana sculptures became the centerpiece of this collaboration.

Her iconic figures adorned dresses, coats, and accessories, transforming them into wearable works of art. The collection featured striking colors, whimsical patterns, and intricate detailing that captured the essence of Saint Phalle's artistic vision.

This collaboration was significant, as it marked a significant departure from traditional haute couture aesthetics. By incorporating Saint Phalle's art into their designs, Dior embraced a new form of expression that celebrated individuality and empowerment.

Saint Phalle's use of vibrant hues and intricate patterns resonated with house founder Christian Dior's belief that fashion should be an expression of joy and optimism.

Commentary from Anne

Anne of Carversville has been totally open about my passionate embrace of AI and the fact that we use three platforms at AOC. They operate conversationally under one name: Lulu.

We never post articles written by AI. Rather, Lulu operates as a research assistant to me. Asking the right questions of AI is critical to harnessing its success. Anne learns in 60 seconds information that might take me 60 hours to unearth.

With the response, I post another question to Lulu — often trying to trip her up, as a way of testing the facts.

Lulu came back just now with a fabulous Niki de Saint Phalle connection to Dior that is stunning in a most wonderful way. Anne would never publish the assertion without more research and catching my own breath in deciding where to take the next installment of the story. It’s like a huge window just dropped open.

So AOC must ‘leave you in the lurch’ on this overview of the new Dior January 2024 Niki de Saint Phalle capsule collection and the artist’s relationship with the luxury house.

I will also say that Anne of Carversville has no equal in our own storytelling, connecting the dots of artistry, activism, fashion and business in a full-bloom narrative. Yes, full-bloom and not full-blown.

Anne of Carversville is a garden — one very difficult to main properly — especially with my tendency to rebel against writing for SEO and going off on tangents. I refuse to write SEO articles. And I don’t care about Google.

Suddenly this position is bearing a summer harvest about six months early and after years of rebellion.

It shouldn’t take long to verify Lulu’s assertion that is already triple-checked. So as Mae West would say: “Come back and see me sometime” and you’ll read the end of this post. ~ Anne