Born and raised in Mumbai, Freida Pinto knows a thing or two about her metropolitan hometown. So, ahead of Dior’s pre-fall 2023 show last week—which was hosted at the Gateway of India—Pinto gave Vogue some insight on the best places to visit in the city. On her agenda? Visiting her former school stomping grounds, admiring some of India’s craftsmanship and artisans, and of course, taking in the new fashions from Dior designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, too.
For Pinto, who now splits her time between Los Angeles and Mumbai, visiting her alma mater St. Xavier’s College is essential. The star has fond memories of studying at the institution, which is known for its striking architecture. “It’s the Hogwarts of Mumbai,” Pinto says. “It is a very old college. The building is stunning: It’s 154-years-old. It brings back the most wonderful memories. It’s a place that gave me a lot of confidence to follow my dreams, to listen to my inner voice, and to respect the rebel in me.”
After touring the school grounds, Pinto then headed over to her second stop of the day—a field trip to the Chanakya School of Craft, where many artisans have studied the art of hand-embroidery and beadwork. There, Pinto was able to see where some of the looks in Dior’s new pre-fall 2023 collection were made, before they even hit the runway later that night. “Dior has a longstanding relationship with this place,” says Pinto. “The brand has such a strong relationship with the artisans in India, and Mumbai specifically. It’s important that we don’t forget the culture and country that influences these big design homes; India plays such an important role in how much it has contributed to the fashion world.”
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