From Style Correspondent Elsa Klensch

PARIS (CNN) -- Designer John Galliano stays home in the newly refurbished Christian Dior Atelier, signaling a new era.

It's the clothes that are important, not those extravagant backgrounds that Galliano has staged for seasons.

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CNN's Elsa Klensch talks with the designer in Paris
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The models walk down the stately staircase and are close enough for the audience to see the meticulous detailing and unexpected color combinations in the spring/summer collection.

"Sometimes the shows I do at Dior are perceived in a certain way, and we just wanted to, maybe gently, change people's perceptions and show them really how the collections do look in the showroom."

For day, Galliano curves the silhouette to define the waist. Evening, as usual, is high-style, from knitted black dresses to the graphic red, white and black finale.

"There's a Russian Constructivist inspiration in its bold use of graphic design and controlled color," he says.