For the Dior Summer 2023 men’s collection, Kim Jones takes us on a journey to picturesque countryside, paying tribute to the gardening passion shared by Christian Dior and the artist Duncan Grant. The collection embraces nature, in bold and daring silhouettes that harmonize the sophistication of tailored fashion with the practicality of outdoor wear, resulting in a fusion of tradition, contemporary style, and exploration.
“For both Christian Dior and Duncan Grant, their homes, their gardens, and their private environments were so important for their creativity. It was these meaningful, private spheres that were translated into their work and became public.” Kim Jones.
The narrative of the collection comes around by the fact that Christian Dior and Duncan Grant had similar lives. The house at Granville was very important for Christian Dior. It is really in the house and in this garden that Christian Dior took his first steps. The show’s set design pays homage to the rural landscapes that were a source of inspiration for Christian Dior and Duncan Grant. Through this bucolic tribute, Kim Jones’ creativity engages in an exciting conversation between the worlds of these two creators.
Kim Jones’ designs, born from this exceptional exchange, embody a remarkably bucolic feel. We travel from Paris to the countryside, to Normandy and Granville – Dior’s birthplace– as well as to Sussex and Charleston, the country residence of the artist Duncan Grant. Once again, personal histories intertwine through the collection, linking the past with the present and the future of the House. While evoking the founding courier’s love for nature, the campaign’s setting also enlivens the avant-garde imagination of Duncan Grant.
The outfits are a blend of the precision of tailoring and the functionality of outdoor wear, amidst an abundance of wildflowers that evoke the opulent ambiance of traditional English gardens. The Dior Summer 2023 men’s collection showcases a blend of elegance and playfulness, inspired by outdoor activities like gardening, hiking, and fishing. The collection’s colour palette capture the luminosity of nature’s gradients, from Dior grays, pinks and pastels, to the utilitarian gardening, walking and fishing, greens and blues.
The collection’s bold tailoring takes on a delicate touch with shorts and Bermudas, while the iconic Bar jacket is reinvented with a detachable tonal lapel. The sheer silk organza version of the Bar jacket reveals its virtuoso construction, showcasing the designer’s attention to detail.
In a casual version, the iconic Oblique Suit is reinvented, embellished with a button placket, or completed with a detachable lapel revisiting the sleeves.
The collection’s coats continue the theme of the bucolic odyssey, blending functionality and refinement. The large trench coats casually layer over reflective vests, creating an effortless look that’s perfect for the outdoors.
Furthermore, the collection features Duncan Grant’s 1913 Lily Pond Screen, which adorns both tech fabrics and traditional embroidery. The British painter’s sketches were also reproduced in precious handmade knits, adding a touch of artistry to the collection.
The Dior Summer 2023 men’s collection is a true embodiment of the House’s iconic symbols, which have been transformed into coveted objects with multiple functionalities. Drawing inspiration from outdoor pursuits, the collection features an array of rucksacks, belt bags, and bags. The footwear is a striking blend of hybrid and casual styles, with daring details such as boots that fold down to reveal socks and Dior Carlo derbies adorned with embroidered overshoes. Through intricate technical savoir-faire, the new cannage sandals are made from one piece of recycled rubber.
The collection’s accessories are elevated with Stephen Jones’ high-tech millinery, which includes gardening hats that hark back to the one worn by Duncan Grant when painting and featured Dior’s cannage graphics, referencing the trellis of Monsieur Dior’s garden at Granville. These exceptional pieces can be worn as overlays, paired with baseball caps, to create an effortlessly stylish look that exudes sophistication and elegance.
For the Dior Summer 2023 men’s line, Dior collaborates with Mystery Ranch for the first time. This creative exchange materializes in hybrid bags, inspired by Monsieur Dior’s love of gardening and combining outdoors culture with luxury demands. The iconic Saddle bag is reinvented to suit outdoor use, crafted to the highest standards of craftsmanship and equipped with a cleverly designed double-zipped compartment.
Overall, the Dior Summer 2023 men’s collection is a true celebration of the House’s heritage, imbued with a harmonious blend of technical innovation and tradition. The Dior Summer 2023 collection exalts the excellence of the House’s savoir-faire, as well as the profusion of creativity of Duncan Grant’s Charleston Farmhouse artistic retreat.
