LS Productions faced a formidable challenge: delivering 21 editorial shoots across central Scotland in just three days, all while managing logistics for the DIOR Cruise 2024 Collection runway show at Drummond Castle Gardens. The task required an intricate balance between creativity and practicality, ensuring the grandeur of Scotland’s landscapes and heritage seamlessly merged with high fashion.
A Vision Rooted in History and Aesthetics
When DIOR’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri envisioned the 2025 Cruise Collection, she sought to weave a narrative deeply tied to Scotland’s past. Drawing inspiration from the country’s rich fashion heritage, the collection embraced tartan, intricate craftsmanship, and Jacobite styling. The setting had to reflect these themes authentically.
Christian Dior himself once wrote about his admiration for Scotland in his 1956 biography, emphasizing its breathtaking castles and moors. This admiration was carried forward in Chiuri’s campaign, which aimed to highlight the textures, colors, and historical depth of Scottish landscapes, ensuring that every backdrop reinforced the collection’s artistic direction.
Precision Planning for Seamless Execution
With 21 shoots scheduled over three days, LS Productions had to meticulously map out locations within an hour’s drive from two key sites: Drummond Castle, the showbase, and Dovecot Studios, the collection’s headquarters in Edinburgh. This constraint narrowed the search to locations across Perthshire, Edinburgh, East Lothian, and the Scottish Borders.
The criteria for selecting locations were strict:
- Proximity: Sites had to be close to each other to allow for smooth transitions between shoots.
- Diversity: Estates and landscapes needed to provide contrasting aesthetics to maximize efficiency without sacrificing quality.
- Accessibility: Sites had to accommodate production crews and ensure seamless transportation of delicate couture pieces.
Over 12 days, LS Productions scouted key locations, including Linlithgow Palace in West Lothian, Tantallon Castle in East Lothian, and the grand estates of Perthshire, such as Gleneagles and Glen House. Drummond Castle itself underwent extensive scouting to ensure every angle was perfect for the runway show.
The Challenge of Shooting in Edinburgh
Beyond Scotland’s rural majesty, Edinburgh’s Neo-Classical and Scottish Baroque architecture played a pivotal role in the visual storytelling. The city’s Old and New Towns, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, provided an urban contrast to the sweeping landscapes.
Filming in a major city, however, brought its own hurdles. With Edinburgh entering peak tourist season, securing permits and coordinating logistics demanded deep local expertise. LS Productions leveraged its extensive network to obtain permissions and identify locations that could be easily controlled while maintaining their visual impact.
Behind the Scenes: Balancing Art and Logistics
Chris McCluskie, LS Productions’ location scout, acknowledged the complexity of the project: “The sheer scale and ambition of this project from start to finish was incredible. We knew the locations we’d need to find would have to be pretty special to match the awesome creativity behind this unique collection. But it was always a fine balancing act between the aesthetic, logistical and practical to make shoots as smooth as possible for our production teams.”
Despite the constraints, the team delivered a seamless production, ensuring Scotland’s landscapes and heritage were not just a backdrop but an integral part of the DIOR narrative.
