Review & experience: Buying the Dior Zodiac Constellation 90cm silk twill scarf at 261 Rue St Honoré
I’m not the type to be a season ahead when it comes to fashion & accessories trends, so when I discovered Dior’s 2021 collection, it was already 2022. Looking at the products, I wanted to buy everything, which is rare because I’m generally not drawn to what Dior sells (except for the rings).
Part of the collection was designed by artist Pietro Ruffo, and I fell in love with all his drawings for Dior, especially the “Zodiac” collection and the “Mille Fleurs” collection.
This scarf is what made me come to Dior.
In a video made by Dior, the artist explained his design:
This universe is strongly influenced by magic, astrology, and the typical elements of the Puglia region. It reflects the significant influence of stars and constellations, and the cycles of nature on the sowing of the field.
I drew the twelve zodiac signs, reinterpreting them and pairing them with the flowers that bloom during each zodiac sign’s period. And I brought them all together around this large moon to show how much this moon, which seems so distant, actually has a very strong influence on us and on the cycle of the seasons.
An artist with such an understanding of the zodiac and astrology deserves all my support.
I thought the design was beautiful on the website, and even more stunning in person. The 90x90cm format comes in four colors.
A star piece from the runway show, the scarf features the Dior Zodiac print, a tribute to Christian Dior’s fascination with astrology. Made of black silk twill, this style with hand-rolled edges is enhanced by the CHRISTIAN DIOR signature. This scarf can be worn around the neck or tied on the head for a total Dior look.
- Black Dior Zodiac print
- CHRISTIAN DIOR signature
- Hand-rolled edges
- 100 % silk twill
- Made in Italy
The first time, I went to see the scarf at the Dior corner at Le Bon Marché, I only saw three (the pink, the dark blue, and the off-white). For the off-white version, I found the moon even darker in person than in the photos, you’d think there was a stain on the scarf. Plus, zooming in on the photo on the website, I spotted some obvious design flaws. I didn’t like it and didn’t buy it.
A month later, I checked the website again, and the black version was finally available in all Parisian boutiques. I already liked this color a bit more. I also learned in the meantime that the Dior website intentionally makes some modifications to product photos to prevent the designs from being copied. Hence the obvious design flaws I noticed on the site.
Here are some photos of the scarf worn:
This time, I went back to the Dior store on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré to see the black scarf, which was listed as “in stock” there. The white color was already sold out. But the black is sublime in person. I’m won over.
My Dior Zodiac scarf
Even the bag is gorgeous. The saleswoman gave me this limited-edition bag even though I was several months late to qualify for it. It was so sweet! With a little extra star! The design of this bag was also created by artist Pietro Ruffo, on the theme of the tarot.
Dior scarf vs. Hermès
I own several scarves, and unfortunately, I have to say that the silk at Hermès is much softer, silkier, and shinier. Dior’s is also silk twill, but it doesn’t seem to be as good quality as Hermès.
The hand-rolled edges are very well done, just like at Hermès.
However, the print is done by machine, not with the Lyon technique of hand-printing, and the patterns smear a bit when you zoom in very close, while the patterns at Hermès stay super sharp. But at Dior, the designs are much more trendy, more modern; I want to buy everything, whereas at Hermès, each collection only has one or two pieces that appeal to me.
In 2022:
- a 90x90cm scarf at Dior costs 385€
- a 90x90cm scarf at Hermès costs 410€
The Dior store on Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré
I’ve been there several times, but this is the first time I’ve bought something from this particular store (the other times, it was for rings). The store is huge (spanning multiple floors). The scarf section is tiny compared to the many sections dedicated to bags, but it’s very well presented.
The zodiac theme is omnipresent at Dior because Christian Dior was extremely interested in it. There’s the black and white version, but also double-faced versions.
There’s another product with the same design: the book tote, but I haven’t seen it in person. Even in Parisian stores, these bags are delivered in trickles. My saleswoman said I’d need to contact her if I wanted to buy it. I got to touch another equivalent bag (the pink one in the photo); it’s very heavy and sturdy, entirely machine-embroidered, but the price is way too high for such a frivolous use.
This design is also offered for the iconic Lady Dior. Also in limited edition.
