Dior and I

Christian Dior S.A.

Industry	Fashion
Headquarters	France

Dior and I () is a 2014 French documentary film directed and written by Frédéric Tcheng, which explores designer Raf Simons' creative journey at Christian Dior S.A.. The documentary debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival on 17 April 2014. It later saw a theatrical release in the United States on 10 April 2015 through The Orchard and in France on 8 July 2015 via Dissidenz Films. Centered on Simons’ inaugural Haute Couture collection for Dior, the film also includes brief appearances by Marion Cotillard, Isabelle Huppert, Jennifer Lawrence, Sharon Stone, and Harvey Weinstein. It was met with favorable critical reception.

Production

Shot over an eight-week period in 2012, Dior and I provides an intimate glimpse into Raf Simons’ first Haute Couture season at Dior. The narrative weaves together contemporary footage with excerpts from founder Christian Dior’s autobiography, narrated by poet Omar Berrada.

During his research, director Tcheng came across Dior’s autobiography, Dior by Dior, which inspired him to emphasize the personal aspects of the creative process. He observed compelling similarities between Dior’s reflections and the modern-day work he documented, despite the fifty-year interval. Paul Dallas of Bomb described this as “haunting and emotional,” likening the documentary to a spectral tale.

Tcheng initially encountered Simons while filming his introduction to Dior, capturing his earliest moments with the haute couture seamstresses. Although Simons was initially reluctant about being filmed, he consented after Tcheng conveyed his intent to chronicle the dynamic between designer and atelier. Following approval, Simons allowed extensive access that revealed unforeseen emotional layers. The film underscores the interplay between heritage and innovation, contemplating the tension between Dior’s enduring legacy and Simons’ contemporary vision. Tcheng cited Hitchcock’s Rebecca as an inspiration for illustrating a fashion house still influenced by its founder’s shadow.

Production commenced within the atelier, featuring key figures such as premiers d’atelier Florence Chehet and Monique Bailly alongside Raf Simons.

Release

The documentary had its premiere as the opening film of the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, Dior and I holds an 84% approval rating based on 73 reviews, with an average score of 6.90/10. The critical consensus reads: "While clearly appealing to fashion enthusiasts, this elegantly crafted documentary may engage even those less interested in style." On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 70 out of 100 from 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews." Jay Weissberg of Variety observed: “Emerging director Frederic Tcheng prioritizes the creative journey over clichéd glamour or intrigue in this multilayered, carefully constructed documentary.” Released in select cinemas in 2015 to positive acclaim, the film earned over $1 million at the box office.

In 2019, Dior and I was ranked third on The Hollywood Reporter’s list of Best Fashion Documentaries of the Decade.

Accolades

Year	Award / Festival	Category	Honoree(s)	Outcome	References
2014	Seattle International Film Festival	Special Jury Award for Documentary	Frédéric Tcheng	Template:Won
		Documentary Award		Template:Nom
	Abu Dhabi Film Festival	Outstanding Documentary Feature		Template:Nom
	Tribeca Festival	Outstanding Documentary Feature		Template:Nom
	Melbourne International Film Festival	Outstanding Documentary		Template:Nom

See also

• Christian Dior