At Dior’s Paris fashion show, the collection of the upscale brand’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri was framed by set pieces taken from earlier paintings by the recently deceased 93-year-old feminist artist, iconoclast, and quilter Faith Ringgold.

As an artist, activist and children’s author Ringgold challenged perceptions of African American identity and gender inequality for over five decades. Growing up in the creative and intellectual context of the Harlem Renaissance and inspired by her contemporaries including writers James Baldwin and Amiri Baraka, she was widely recognised for her painted story quilts combining personal narratives, history and politics “to tell my story, or, more to the point, my side of the story”, as an African American woman.

This Haute Couture’s Autumn/Winter 2024–2025 presentation included interpretations of iconic Ringgold pieces, like Woman Freedom Now, a call to arms protest piece made of paper on board. The exterior of the temporary space which hosted the fashion show at the Musée Rodin was wrapped around in the abstract triangular motif from the 1971 sculpture. Banners that referenced the abstract confluence Windows of the Wedding #1 from 1974 was also on display. Ringgold worked with her mother, the renowned Harlem fashion designer Madame Willi Posey, who taught her daughter how to sew, on this series. This show continues Dior’s interest with contemporary art which started with collaborations with Judy Chicago, Joana Vasconcelos, Eva Jospin and many more feminist artists.

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Images: Scenograph © Adrien Drand © Faith Ringgold @acagalleries © Chanakya School of Craft. Courtesy of Dior.