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The sight of Celine Dion “working it” in Schiaparelli’s ruffled silk confection will be reassuring to her fans. The 56-year-old singer must be feeling better, they will think, if she is putting on the couture.
It’s been more than a year since Dion revealed she suffers from Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can cause muscle spasms and loss of mobility. She’s largely kept a low profile since then – she canceled the remaining dates of her Courage world tour and instead focused on recovering at home in Las Vegas and spending time with her three sons. As an artist who has been performing to global audiences since the age of 13, Dion said the original diagnosis was “tough” to deal with.
But here she is, back on the cover of France Vogue. She has a documentary to promote – Me: Celine Dion Coming to Amazon Prime Video on June 25, it aims to raise awareness of this little-known condition. We will watch Dion go through rigorous daily routines of athletic, physical and vocal therapy in an effort to one day be strong enough to perform again. It is probably the biggest challenge of her life.
In her Vogue interview Dion confirms that she is taking things “one day at a time”. “The way I see it, I have two options,” she says matter-of-factly. “Either I train like an athlete and work really hard, or I switch off and it’s over, I stay at home, listen to my songs, stand in front of my mirror and sing to myself.” Dion chose to fight.
Her new photos speak volumes – she’s power dressing in a Saint Laurent pencil skirt with leather gloves, and wearing a sculptural Alaia merino wool coat backwards. She strikes a half-naked pose in an unbuttoned Balenciaga shirt – perhaps the most powerful image of the series, as she proudly displays the very body that is challenging her.
This is not the first time that Dion has found energy in sparkling fashion when her personal life has reached a low point. Dion’s husband of 22 years and former manager, René Angélil, died of cancer in January 2016. Just two days later she also lost her brother to cancer.
She was at home watching the Disney channel with her twin sons, who were six years old at the time, when she saw the actress Zendaya – the super-famous red carpet fashion star of 2024, but then ruled the tween network. Dion Googled her stylist, Law Roach, and emailed him that summer.
Roach brought his new client to his first couture shows in 2017 in Paris – Dion, previously considered “cheesy” and shunned by snobby editors, found herself as the new opening star, 49 age. Vogue called her “revival fashion”.
In her latest interview, she couldn’t resist making the points VogueU-turn on her: “Although I had better health and beauty at 30, I was not asked to [a shoot] there,” she said.
Roach says Dion has “always” been a lover of fashion. As a child growing up with 13 siblings in Quebec, she was used to seduction. Significantly, she spent her first pay check on new clothes of her own. Today, she passionately uses fashion as an outlet and source of entertainment.
“I’m a firm believer that things happen when they’re meant to and I think we were meant to partner when we did and have that great time,” Roach previously said. The Telegraph.
“She was dealing with the death of her husband and brother. She had a lot of tragedies and, in her words, the dresses and the bags and these lighter occasions helped her recover. Above all, it is enough for me that this wonderful woman had a good time and that I could help in any way in her healing process. She is reminding us all that fashion is something to be enjoyed rather than feared.”
In the eight years since, Roach has become a trusted collaborator for Dion – even if they haven’t had many opportunities to work together recently.
For a surprise appearance while presenting an award at the Grammys in February, Roach relished the opportunity to dress his client in Valentino again. He styled Dion again for this latest French Vogue shoot, and some videos behind the scenes – it can be seen helping delicately in a pose, and adjusting their fingers. It was an experience Dion cherished and enjoyed – perhaps even more so because she no longer has to do it regularly.
“My dream is to live in the moment,” Dion said of making the shot. “Today, I am a woman, who feels strong and positive about the future. One day at a time.”
