SCARVES are the ultimate accessory, worn in the winter to finish your outfit and thrown over the shoulders during dinners in the summer. The most versatile garment – unisex in design and adding elegance by nature. The Dior AW21 collection utilised the French fashion house’s codes and welcomed long-term contributor, Italian contemporary artist Pietro Ruffo back again. The works Ruffo created were translated onto fabric through colorisation via pen engraving techniques.
Pen Engravings of Pietro Ruffo’s work. Photograph: Pol Baril
The making of Dior scarves. Photograph: Pol Baril
The making of Dior scarves. Photograph: Pol Baril
The romantic sketches were either silkscreened or inkjet printed onto silk inside the Italian ateliers. With the first step of this meticulous process completed, the next phases see the silk enter a tunnel of steam repeatedly and then wash in multiple baths of water one after another until the intended look and finish is found. Finally, the silk is cut by hand, and the square pieces of the fabric are either frayed or rolled as the last step.
The making of Dior scarves. Photograph: Pol Baril
Hand cutting of the silk. Photograph: Pol Baril
Finishing touches. Photograph: Pol Baril
Dior scarves. Photograph: Pol Baril
The attention to detail and art of making these wonderful scarves is so delicate and precise, it just emphasises Dior’s savoir-faire, an integral part to luxury fashion that they execute so well.
by Imogen Clark