Dior’s New Look.. Some like it, some don't!!

The first Dior campaign created under the artistic direction of Raf Simons has been unveiled - and it's quite a departure from the French fashion house's previous ad aesthetic.

A shot form Dior's spring/summer 2013 campaign Photo: Dior

Shot by Willy Vanderperre, a fellow Belgian and friend of Simons' with whom he worked many times whilst at Jil Sander, the spring/summer 2013 images take on a Surrealist theme.

Simons has opted to use four relatively unknown beauties; Daria Strokous, Anna Martynova, Diane Conterato, Nicole Pollard and Marie Piovesan.

Referencing the minimalist, white-washed and windowed set used to present his debut ready-to-wear collection in September last year, the models strike signature 'New Look' poses.

But Simon's new look hasn't gone down well with some Dior fans who were fond of the brand's previously heavily-styled and theatrical ads. Over on fashion forum The Fashion Spot , many have labelled the campaign 'boring' and also said the linear set makes it reminiscent of a video game. The randomness of the Magritte-style sections of sky, elaborate light fitting and vases of blooms has also been questioned.

Saint Laurent Paris CEO defends Hedi Slimane

Paul Deneve, the president and CEO of Saint Laurent Paris, has written a letter to trade publication WWD scolding them for pitting Hedi Slimane against Dior's creative director Raf Simons in a recent article.

Hedi Slimane Photo: REX

Paul Deneve, the president and CEO of Saint Laurent Paris, has criticised fashion industry publication Women's Wear Daily for an article which he felt inappropriately pitted Hedi Slimane, the creative director of Saint Laurent Paris, against Raf Simons, the creative director of Dior.

After reading the article titled 'Paris Match' by WWD journalist Miles Socha, Deneve felt compelled to write a letter to the trade journal outlining his problems with the piece, which compared Slimane's debut at YSL to Simons's ready-to-wear debut at Dior. The letter was today published by WWD .

Deneve begins by accusing the publication of inaccurately reflecting the reviews Hedi Slimane received for his debut womenswear collection at the most recent Paris Fashion Week.

"First, the article summarises the reviews as "comparatively tepid" for "Slimane's reverential treatment of smokings (tuxedos) and bohemian dresses," only quoting three editors, one of them admittedly partial (Cathy Horyn: "a cheerleader" for Raf Simons, the article says)," writes Deneve. "This does not reflect the highly positive coverage Hedi Slimane received from the press commentators around the world, from France to Italy, Japan, China and the U.S."

Deneve goes on to say that he regrets that the well-respected publication reduced the "collective talent of all designers showing in Paris to a so-called duel between two fashion houses and two men."

'Galliano's work is NO LONGER RELEVANT'!!!!

Raf Simons, the creative director of Dior, has spoken of his shamed predecessor John Galliano for the first time, saying he believes his work is no longer "relevant" as it restricts women.

Since taking the helm at Dior earlier this year, Raf Simons has kept schtum when it comes to discussing his disgraced predecessor, John Galliano - until now, that is.

Speaking in the latest issue of Vogue Australia, the Belgian designer has revealed that he no longer sees Galliano's work at the iconic design house as "relevant".

"I have so much respect for John [Galliano]'s technical skill and the fantasy, it's just something that I don't find relevant now, especially when it restricts a woman, because in every other area they have so much freedom," he said.

Whilst Simons is known, and indeed loved, for his minimalist approach when it comes to cut and colour, Galliano is famed for his elaborate, extroverted creations, many of which made for exciting catwalk shows but often did not translate in terms of wearability.

Dior Couture: The making of the million flower set

Come behind-the-scenes as the Dior team painstakingly build the elaborate floral set for Raf Simons' couture debut in Paris.

There were peonies, goldenrod, dahlias, carnations, delphiniums, orchids and all kinds of roses. Flowers splayed from floor to ceiling.

'The décor for the haute couture presentation this season was an event unto itself' Dior say on their website. And they're not wrong.

It's easy sometimes for the pampered fashion editors, socialites, and celebrities perched on their Napolean III seats at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week to take their surroundings for granted, but no one attending the Dior show last week could have failed to be awed by the intensely beautiful set.

Created from one million fresh flowers painstakingly cut and arranged to decorate the walls of the five private salons playing host to Raf Simons' debut, the set has rightfully earned a short film paying tribute to the effort involved in bringing it to life.

We wonder what happened to all those flowers after the 15-minute presentation drew to a close and the beautiful people filed out. Perhaps Dior had them packed and sent to front row guest Princess Charlene of Monaco's palace? She's probably not short on vases…