John Galliano transformed his catwalk into a political platform and the message - like the clothing that carried it - was powerful: "Dior, Not War." [See Photos]

Models wore Janis Joplin hair and colorful cotton tops emblazoned with anti-war slogans while "Imagine," John Lennon's ode to peace, provided the musical backdrop. Designers tend to avoid political statements, but Galliano said he couldn't hold back.

"It's the way I'm feeling. I think we're all feeling that, aren't we?" the designer said backstage. "That John Lennon song could have been written yesterday. I mean - imagine."

If politics was the backstage buzz, it was only one segment of a stunningly successful Christian Dior ready-to-wear line for spring-summer 2005 that was otherwise focused on femininity, colors and fun.