Dior and I * * * 1/2

Funny thing about folks who make clothes. Filmmakers can shoot docos on them and they’ll get an audience. One can’t say the same about white-goods, or electronics, or stationery or other consumables that we use; but clothes, that’s different. But then, clothes are different. They’re fashion, they speak volumes about the person wearing them, and in the hands of some designers they are unquestionable works of art.

It seems like every couple of years now we are getting another doco on the fashion industry. Usually set over a few weeks as they race to meet some deadline. Recently we have had Valentino: The Last Emperor and The September Issue, both of which were excellent. So is Dior and I. It’s about a designer - Raf Simons - given the onerous task of coming up with a new collection for the house of Christian Dior. Seeing that he had mostly done menswear before it would have been especially challenging. Apparently he is rather camera shy so its a credit to the crew that not only Raf, but almost everyone on screen, seems indifferent to the camera. Raf comes across as a genuine and unassuming man who quickly gains the respect of his staff by respecting them first: especially the “ateliers” as they refer to those who hand make make the initial garments. In the end, the designs he comes up with are nothing short of brilliant. He and his boyfriend blink away their tears at the beauty of his creations: and to be honest most of the audience do too.