"Straight off the catwalk: John Galliano for Dior, Fall/Winter 2003 – The Funky Folklore Collection

A true museum piece, this complete runway look was worn by none other than Gisele Bündchen in Galliano’s legendary Fall/Winter 2003 Dior collection, often referred to as his “Funky Folklore” show. Comprised of dress, hat, and bag, it represents not only the artistry of Galliano’s tenure at Dior but also his unrivalled ability to weave narrative, history, and fantasy into a single silhouette. To acquire such a complete ensemble is nothing short of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any serious collector.

Galliano’s Fall/Winter 2003 was a theatrical odyssey through global folklore, recast with his distinctive sense of drama and exaggeration. Drawing inspiration from Indian embroidery, South American detailing, and nomadic tribal dress, Galliano fused centuries of tradition into an unapologetically modern spectacle. On the runway, models stormed the stage beneath folkloric headpieces, military boots, and layers of embellishment, accompanied by live musicians and a backdrop that turned Paris into a global stage.

This particular look embodies the spirit of that collection in every detail. The short crimson dress, embroidered with gilt motifs, recalls traditional Indian handwork but is rendered here in a way that is unmistakably Galliano—playful, daring, and seductive. Cut with a modern, body-skimming fit, it juxtaposes folkloric craft with the energy of Y2K glamour. The accompanying sky-blue sash 'Admit it' bag slung across the body further highlights Galliano’s knack for contrasts, pairing utilitarian ease with couture-level detail.

The crowning element is the dramatic headpiece, designed by legendary milliner Stephen Jones, inspired by ceremonial helmets and tribal ornamentation but reimagined through Galliano’s lens of fantasy. Together, the hat, dress, and bag create a complete tableau—less an outfit, more a character, conjured straight from Galliano’s imagination and brought to life by Gisele on the Paris runway.

The Fall/Winter 2003 show has since been remembered as one of Galliano’s most extravagant and inventive at Dior, its looks frequently cited in exhibitions and scholarly works exploring fashion’s intersections with folklore and cultural storytelling. To hold an entire ensemble from this collection is to own a piece of that living history, a testament to couture as theatre.

Rare, dramatic, and utterly unique—this is more than clothing. It is Dior mythology, Galliano fantasy, and fashion history in one."

The full set is in very good vintage condition. 

The dress is best suited to a uk size 8-10.

Handbag: very good vintage Condition

Hat: very good vintage Condition

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