Window Shopping Along Avenue Montaigne, Paris: Christian Dior Spring-Summer 2011 Colletion

In the midst of fashion week, while the fall-winter 2011 collections are being presented, the fashion window displays have been changing, to show off the summer collection by March 1st. Such was the case at Christian Dior.

With their boutique store situated in the heart of the fashion strip, on 32 Avenue Montaigne, corner François 1er, all in a day's work the display windows changed from spring to summer. As of early yesterday, these were the styles on parade.

The spring color scheme is nautical: navy blue and white. As the weather warms up, hemlines rise above the knees. The pants are pleated at the waist, tapered at the bottom, and folded up or cropped.

Fabrics are lighter weight and crisper, lightly textured or plain, woven or jersey-type knits. Solid-colored and striped fabrics dominated this collection.

A must for a spring wardrobe is a spring coat for those chilly days ahead.

Among the dresses featured is one with a bustier bodice, with a tulip skirt. Back in style is the double-breasted coat dress. 

And there will always be that practical little black dress to dress up or dress down for any occasion. In this one, the bodice has tightly-sewn vertical pleats all around, from the neckline to the hipline, with a bias-piping finishing around the sabrina neckline and the armhole. The skirt has a soft, flowing, pleated look as a result of the tight pleating from the top.

The summer collection comes out amidst the buzz that Christian Dior's lead designer, John Galliano, has been suspended. The display windows are now set with driftwoods and an azure-blue background, just like the sea. It's a fun, playful, whimsical, and artsy collection for the leisurely lifestyle.

Here is my favorite. A close-up look at this dress shows how the intricate pattern of the V-necked, long-torso bodice has been detailed with mother-of-pearl round buttons and fringes, and coral-colored beads, all sewn in straight or scalloped patterns with the mother-of-pearl fringes tracing the V-neckline and the hipline, where the multi-layer ruffled skirt is attached. It's a neutral earth tone - a light-mocha-colored crepe-chiffon fabric. 

This natural leather, platform shoes are a perfect match for the dress and the contrasting red handbag.

A printed chiffon, spaghetti-strapped flowing gown with see-through, bias cut dolman sleeves. It  is accessorised with a shocking pink/bright orange bag and a lighter shade of fuchsia  platform-shoes. The pink center of the orchid flower prints was the color idea that initiated the use of pink accessories for this gown. 

Intricately intertwined colored cords and glossy plastic rings with plastic hangings in pastel monochromatic shades of green, make up this attractive accessory, picking up the green leaf colors of the printed fabric.

Note the many fashion details in this display. The mannequin on the left is sporting an off-white colored blouse made of cotton twill and is paired with a tan colored pair of pants. To the right,  the linen blouse is matched with a printed skirt, deep purple with citrus green leaf designs, 

The blouses, both from woven fabrics, show a look reminiscent of the safari style in the early 70s, with 2 sets of front pockets and belted. The neckline is an open V with extended short sleeves. The linen shirt on the right has fringe finishings around the neckline, pockets, and the bottom edge of the shirt. These earth tones are neutral colors for summer and can easily be matched with a variety of colors.

Other accessory options

This artsy, sculptural neck piece (just like the one above) accents this neutral-toned ensemble, bursting in bright colors to liven up the over-all look.

A close up of the fashion accessories for this window display...all in coordinated, matching colors. For the footwear, it's between the leather sandals - detailed with feathers and straw fringes, with the same big stones as in the cuff bracelet below, or the sandal platforms in shiny black patent or natural leather color. Of course, you can't go wrong with that now classic looking Dior bag, which comes with an added strap to make it into a shoulder bag. The quilted leather bags, with the woven pattern, are a staple in the CD bag line. 

I still have my CD -logo, fabric bags from more than 30 years ago, which by the way, my young daughter delightfully uses to make her own fashion statement. This style was back about six years ago.

The clutch bags are a color match to some of the colors in the neck piece. Choose anyone of these to go with either of these outfits and it will work. 

This bracelet makes a bold statement, especially when worn with the leather sandals detailed with he same stones.

A tropical look in this outfit - a tailored, printed blouse with a navy blue background brings out the off-white prints. The puffed sleeves is a surprise touch for this tailored blouse. The brown skirt looks like a hand-crocheted/macrame creation. The braided belt, the creamy shade clutch bag and a pair of platform sandals complete this outfit.

It's a flower motif in this printed-chiffon, in yellow on orange, for this long summer dress...

with three-dimensional flowers  made of the same fabric, on this halter top, low-square neckline.  A metallic bag is paired off with it, suggesting a more-than-casual affair is to be attended.


Did you notice how all the mannequins are wearing dark-brown and black wigs? Brunettes are in! 

Here are more Dior fashion accessories for this season:

Red clutch bag - in the quilted pattern with a smocked effect. The patent beige bag is adorned with a series of pavé-finished colored stones on a gold-toned, bejeweled clasp. There is a suggeston to wear the aviator-goggle style ladies' sunglasses on bright sunny days.

A medium sized bag with a handle strap

Other bag styles

 If you have an idea of what you want, do go in and check them out and see what else they have.

 There will be other styles to see and to compare, to help you make your choice.

 For the men, there is a boutique right next to the women's.

 The men have their double-breasted blazers back this season. The men's boutique is complete with every piece of clothing or accessory for a chic male wardrobe.

The display window has a screen below that continuously projects "The Time I had Sometime Alone," a Film by Willy Vanderperre.

 A bag accessory for men

 Men's aviator-style sunglasses

A snake-skin wallet

Not to be forgotten is the fashion line for the children, Baby Dior, located on 28 Avenue Montaigne.

This is about dressing kids up like kids, in CD designs, no less.

It's March and it's time to get ready for spring and summer, or at least think about and look forward to the warmer seasons. But, I understand that you may still be in winter-wardrobe mode, just like I am.