Episode Seven of The New Look. Watch The New LookNow.
A peek into the Apple TV+ series
OUR RATING: 3 OUT OF 5
Words by Ellen Jones | Photography courtesy of Apple TV+
In the high-stakes world of couture, where every stitch tells a story and every hemline hides a secret, Apple TV+ serves up a tantalizing dish with The New Look. But beware, beneath the layers of silk and tulle lies a drama as complex as a meticulously crafted gown … and just as prone to unraveling.
At first glance, The New Look appears to be a glamorous foray into post-war Parisian fashion, a realm where Christian Dior's ethereal designs reign supreme and Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel's irreverent spirit refuses to be confined. We see the meteoric rise of Christian Dior and his ‘New Look’ and the ins and outs of his epic dethroning of Chanel as the hottest designer of the day.
Visually, The New Look possesses a magnetic allure that is impossible to resist. From the glittering ballrooms of the Ritz to the smoke-filled backrooms of wartime intrigue, each scene is imbued with a sense of palpable tension, drawing viewers deeper into a world where beauty and betrayal walk hand in hand.
Episode One of The New Look. Watch The New LookNow.
Episode Four of The New Look. Watch The New LookNow.
Creator Todd A. Kessler weaves a tapestry of intrigue, intertwining the lives of Dior and Chanel amidst the tumult of Nazi-occupied France. But as the plot unfurls, it becomes clear that beneath the shimmering façade lies a narrative thread stretched gossamer thin, unable to bear the weight of its own ambition. To wit: the series treats World War II as a mere inconvenience to the world of fashion, a backdrop against which the rivalry between two titans of couture unfolds.
Juliette Binoche, resplendent as the indomitable Chanel, and Ben Mendelsohn, embodying Dior's quiet intensity, deliver performances that elevate the show, infusing it with a vitality that transcends the script's shortcomings. Glenn Close also takes a brilliant turn as Harper’s Bazaar steely editrix, Carmel Snow.
Yet even their talents cannot fully salvage a narrative that struggles to reconcile the glamour of the runway with the grim realities of wartime collaboration.
Episode Six of The New Look. Watch The New LookNow.
Episode Eight of The New Look. Watch The New LookNow.
While the series endeavors to delve into the moral complexities of its protagonists' choices, it often falls short, offering little more than a surface-level exploration of their motivations. The result is a tale that, much like a questionably constructed garment, lacks the substance to withstand scrutiny.
Yet amidst the missteps and missed opportunities, The New Look still manages to captivate, offering glimpses into the lives of two enigmatic figures whose legacies continue to loom large over the world of fashion. From Dior's guilt-ridden collaborations with the enemy to Chanel's precarious dance with power, the series lays bare the contradictions and compromises that lie at the heart of creativity.
In the end, The New Look may not be the masterpiece it aspires to be, but it is a compelling exploration of art, ambition, and the price of success. So, slip into your finest attire, and prepare to be transported to a world where the seams of history are stitched with threads of glamour and intrigue.
Watch The New Look today on Apple TV+ and share your favorite moments with #NCLNewLook.