And so for the second season British designer Bill Gaytten admirably guided the House through its next six months.
Mila Kunis - the new face of the brand - Natalia Vodianova, Amber le Bon and a flurry of clients who looked sweet enough to eat in their pretty, film star dresses represented a label which, far from struggle to focus amidst all the gossip, has emerged with a crystal clear notion of what the Dior woman looks like in 2012, reassured by organic sales up 14% from 2010.
Gaytten, who has been on the design team at the label for 17 years, stuck with Dior's original template from the 40s New Look with hourglass shapes, layered organzas and gazars. This classic, well-trodden notion of how a lady should dress: balletic, structured waists, flowing skirt layers, cloche hats - courtesy of Stephen Jones - follows the current voracious appetite for clean, elegant, practical clothing. Just look at those sales figures.
Now that Raf Simons, and his so-perfect-for-Dior final collection for Jil Sander, appear to be out of the running for the top job, Gaytten is the clearest contender for the crown. Until tomorrow's rumour that is. The money men would surely be happy with that outcome.
