By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
Dior Presents Light Hearted Collection with Giant Cats at Paris Fashion Week
Dior unveiled a more whimsical menswear collection at Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday, featuring giant cats, reflecting designer Kim Jones's intention to counter the current global gloom. The runway, adorned with big cartoon cats, drew inspiration from South African ceramicist Hylton Nel, a favorite of Jones, who is also an avid art collector.
Nel's artwork appeared as prints on several outfits, which adopted a more relaxed aesthetic compared to recent Dior collections. The pieces included baggy trousers, shorts, and loose, rounded silhouettes on work coats and suits. Many were accessorized with "cloche" (bell style) hats crafted by South African artisans and scarf like collars based on drawings by Yves Saint Laurent from his tenure at Dior in 1960. "There's an ease to this collection. The last two seasons have been quite structured, and every three seasons I like to flip things a bit," Jones told AFP.
"While maintaining Dior's DNA and utilizing elements from the archive, this collection introduces a playful twist," Jones explained. The presentation, set to a Kate Bush soundtrack and complemented by soft lighting, showcased a summery palette of pastel yellows, greens, and blues. "I think about the whole concept, how it gets seen as a whole. I work backwards, music, set, clothes," said Jones.
Last season, Dior's men's dance slippers garnered much attention. This season, Jones reinvented the traditional working shoe, the clog, using beech wood, calf leather, and rubber soles.
Simon Longland, head of buying for Harrods, praised the collection's "softness and poetic feel," noting the "sense of ease and grace," particularly in the "soft boxy coats and beautiful fluid trousers."
Jones, known for his straightforward approach, emphasized the practical aspects of his work, a rarity in the fashion industry. He shared that he had to cancel the couture show for his other role as creative director of Fendi to concentrate on its 100th anniversary next year. "You have to make decisions, do customers get their dresses or do we do a show?" he said. "I thought better to make them their dresses and keep them buying."