Dior returns to tradition

French label Christian Dior returns to its roots.
The embattled fashion house presented its first collection since the ousting of designer John Galliano.
While the show lacked its usual spray of celebrities - fashion heavyweights Rachel Zoe and former French Vogue editor, Carine Roitfeld, were in attendance.
Fashion editor for the Telegraph in Britian, Lisa Armstrong, was the only journalist invited to get an unusual sneak preview of the collection - a sign the brand is being open to the media despite its troubles.
SOUNDBITE: Lisa Armstrong, fashion editor of Britain's Telegraph newspaper, saying (English):
"They were very chic, they were very traditional Christian Dior, not John Galliano Dior, not so much theater. But I only saw 12 outfits so we may see a bit of theater. But I think that Bill Gayten, who's designing at the moment, feels very much that the spectacle was John's area and he (Gayten) is sticking with the clothes."
Dior's acting designer Bill Gayten, who was Galliano's right hand man for 23 years, showed a much more subdued collection than his predecessor.
He opened the show with a nod to the brand's "New Look" - a jacket nipped in the waist with a full skirt - which Monsieur Dior himself made famous in the Fifties.
Bursts of red brought to life what was otherwise a very calm and safe colour palette, which included nudes, blacks and pale pinks.
Dior CEO Sidney Toledano wouldn't disclose what's next for the brand - but did detail the current collection.
SOUNDBITE: Sidney Toledano, Dior CEO, saying (English):
"The mood is very positive and you know the house and the teams have been together with the atelier, the workshop. This is a fantastic house where energy and good mood are key words."
The house says it will announce a replacement for Galliano soon - designers Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang are rumored to be in the mix.
Alicia Powell, Reuters.