In the immaculate mature grounds of Scotland’s Drummond Castle, the sound of bagpipes signalled that the Christian Dior Cruise 2025 show had begun. Models descended a flight of stone steps into the castle gardens to reach the outdoor runway, showcasing kilts, chainmail and Dior-ified tartan. The collection was a celebration of Scotland’s long history with the house (Christian Dior showed his spring collection in Perthshire in 1951), and the wild, warrior-like beauty and hair added to the magic.
Think Braveheart-meets-medieval princess: hip-length braids had been interwoven with golden thread – to echo the gold, thorn-like accessories. Plaits were fashioned to create natural crowns, with wisps of hair stuck to the forehead and temples, as though the models were returning from battle, glowing with sweat and slightly dishevelled from their efforts. Other Dior warriors wore face and hair netting, scattered with pearls and disguising their day’s activities.
Models’ skin, meanwhile, was given a moonlit effect. Technically applied by Dior’s Peter Philips using their newly launched and already viral Forever Glow Star Filter, and Dior Forever Glow Maximizer, “which highlights the skin with a shimmer effect, providing lots of light”. For a subtle partner to the toughness and structure of the collection, Philips conjured an ancient take on laminated brows – spiky, thick, sculpted and sharp – a little like the bracken surrounding the castle grounds. A layer of Rouge Dior Baume 000 Diornatural – moisturised and massaged in – created a plump lip to finish. On the beauty front, Dior emerged from this battle victorious.
