Watch Dior and I

Dior and I is a documentary released in 2014 that takes viewers behind the scenes of one of the most intriguing, high-pressure, and exciting moments in modern fashion history. The movie captures the hustle and bustle of the days leading up to one of the most lavish haute couture shows that the House of Dior has ever staged. Demands of the fashion industry are already high, but this documentary highlights how they can sometimes take additional tolls on creative industries, especially in terms of tight timelines and pressure put on the designers to deliver something captivating. In Dior and I, this pressure is compounded by the fact that the fashion house has recently suffered from the sudden departure of its longtime creative director. In the resulting vacuum, Raf Simons, a comparatively new designer to the industry, has been tasked with the enormous challenge of putting together his first haute couture collection, and will ultimately be judged by it.

As the documentary unfolds, we see Raf settling in to his new role at the head of the House of Dior. The pressure is immediately evident as we watch Simons and his team of seamstresses and designers rushing about, trying to put the finishing touches on the collection. The main aim is to ensure the collection meets the sacred standard of the fashion house, while also having that distinct, Simons flair.

Of course, fashion is a team effort - this is a point that the documentary seeks to drive home. We see Raf working alongside the team of craftsmen and women, many of them dealing with a great deal of anxiety over their role in the process. There is a lot that goes into ensuring a haute couture show goes on without a hitch, and the designer is only as good as his team.

Additionally, the documentary sheds light on the history of the House of Dior, delving into the iconic fashion house's roots as well as its influence on contemporary culture. It's wonderful to see the passion and dedication of those involved, not only in the present but also those who came before and paved the way for haute couture to be the formidable force that it is today.

Throughout it all, we see the capable hand of Raf Simons pulling the strings, relentlessly pursuing his vision for the collection while also balancing the various personalities and demands of the industry. The end result is astounding, a show-stopping collection that combines the classic elegance of Dior with Simons’ own unique flair.

The filming of the documentary takes a somewhat creative approach at times, adding a dreamlike quality to many of the scenes. The music is melancholy and emotive, emphasizing the pressure points and struggles that designers face while drawing a poignant parallel to the dreamlike quality of the haute couture world.

Ultimately, the documentary gives the audience an extensive glimpse of the often-hidden world of haute couture design and the dedicated and talented team that make it possible. It's evident how much passion and work goes into one of these shows, which both changes one's perception of the industry and makes for a riveting watch. Dior and I is as much a documentary about the legacy of Christian Dior and the Houses' rich history, as it is the young designer who bravely takes the helm of one of fashion’s most esteemed fashion houses.

In conclusion, Dior and I offers an honest, vulnerable, and emotional look into the world of fashion design, enabling viewers to see the hectic, tense, and often stressful journey that goes into putting together a world-class collection. The movie showcases the enormous responsibilities placed on designers and their teams, challenges that come with being a leader in the fashion industry, and ultimately the drive and ambition required to succeed in it.

Dior and I is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 70.