PHOTO COURTESY OF DIOR
Dior's #DiorSummer24 collection wasn’t just outstanding. It also marked Kim Jones’ fifth anniversary as creative director of the French fashion house’s menswear line. Always one for theatrics, the show opened with a dimmed atmosphere lighting up to reveal male models rising from the floor on shiny metallic grey tiles.
One sweeping glance showed all 52 looks, before each model took to the runway in an orderly fashion. In a rather surprising twist, there were no collaborations the likes of previous partnerships with KAWS or Stüssy in sight. Instead, Kim Jones honoured the works of designers that preceded him by finding inspiration within the Dior archives.
Tailored ensembles with shiny embellishments on jacket lapels took Monsieur Christian Dior’s love for tweed and jewels to all-new heights. Other ready-to-wear pieces came with over-the-top cabochons, transforming the seemingly ordinary into the extraordinary.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DIOR
Then came the design influences from previous creative leads, Yves Saint Laurent, Gianfranco Ferré and Marc Bohan. Kim Jones paid homage to their signature silhouettes, embroidery and play on textures over the years.
One of the more prominent motifs was the Cannage motif, which graced a decadent selection of bags like the Saddle, as well as a variety of backpacks and satchels. Then there’s the new ‘sandwich’ bag, with a rolled upper meant to be held like a clutch.
There was also Cannage tweed, with at least six coloured variations between the two. Injecting fresh, modern sensibilities with a delicate mix of archive influences, Kim Jones certainly turned it up several notches for spring-summer 2024 with an ode to the house's past whilst confirming his future as a creative amongst creatives.
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF DIOR
