Dior Pays Homage to Japan with Dior Grand Soir "Origami" Timepiece

Of all Japan’s gifts to the world – sushi, anime, fast-paced technology and sake, just to list a few – origami has the biggest impact that transcends various fields, ranging from art to fashion. 

Literally translated as folding paper in Japanese language, the art of Japanese paper folding varies from the most basic technique such as forming a paper crane up to the toughest one such as the difficult swivel fold.

In fashion, throughout the years, a coterie of designers are known to have adapted the meticulous art of origami into the creation process of their ready-to-wear and haute couture collections with venerated maison Christian Dior being one of them. 

For example, Raf Simons used the art of origami as the inspiration for Dior fall/winter 2013 haute couture collection, where pieces of fabrics were painstakingly cut, assembled, and structured on the mannequins to form three-dimensional surface with supremely fluid silhouette, brimming with femininity and unparalleled elegance.

As the land of the rising sun plays a significant role in the history of Maison Christian Dior as muse, influencing many aspects such as the revolutionary proportion of the Bar suit; Raf Simons’ first collection for the maison; and the spare elegance of the Avenue Montaigne store with abundance of subtle volume effects, angles and fall, Dior is paying homage to Japan with the conception of Dior Grand Soir “Origami”: timepiece collection.

A transcendent homage to the delicate artistry of origami, the Dior Grand Soir “Origami” serves as the maison’s interpretation of the craft, vividly displayed on the dials of a 33mm diameter timekeeper. Crafted in mother-of-pearl marquetry, the dials are elaborated into three-dimensional style, offering stunning optical effect. 

The arresting beauty of the timepiece is further strengthened by the triangle-cut and baguette-helix-cut of the precious stones that adorn the bezels such as sapphires, tsavorite garnets, spessartite garnets and diamonds.

On the other hand, the mother-of-pearl dials are adorned with triangle- or trapezium-cut diamonds, pink sapphires, yellow sapphires, spinels and aquamarines, alongside the spare graphic effect of the oscillating weights lacquered in bright or tender colours, namely lemon yellow, pink fuchsia, purple, peachy pink or sky blue). 

The spare graphic effects are located on the reverse side of the Elite movement by the Zenith manufacture, which, as they swing, will reveal the subtle mother-of-pearl lace, visible through the case-back in transparent sapphire crystal.    

While the Japanese elements are present in the form of meticulously conceived shapes and volumes, the Dior Grand Soir “Origami” timepiece also evokes the dexterity of the artisans’ hands. 

As the experts of the art of folding fabrics and materials, their well-honed skills were put to the test through the conscientious assembly of patent leather and satin on the straps of the collection.

Just as unique as the haute couture pieces, only five one-of-a-kind pieces are produced for the Dior Grand Soir “Origami” timepiece collection and each piece is a must-have investment piece for every avid couture timepiece collector.    

To order or to find out more about Dior Grand Soir “Origami” timepiece, visit your nearest Dior boutiques today. 

*Photos courtesy of Dior and by Sophie Carre (haute couture dress)

Dior -  G28, Indulge Floor, Starhill Gallery, 181 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.