Dior Men Spring 2023: Collaboration, Tailoring, and Venice Beach
Creative Director Kim Jones took the French house on a streetwear-fueled journey to Los Angeles
Kim Jones is quite the globetrotter. The London-based fashion designer, and current creative force behind Dior Men, has stamped over 100 countries in his passport—including buzzy Dior destination shows in Miami, London, and now, Venice Beach.
Showcasing its latest Spring offering, the French brand voyaged to the Golden State, reupping the house’s longstanding bond with the United States. After all, house founder Christian Dior cited California as early inspiration and his b0undary-breaking designs gained major traction stateside.
Now, Jones is continuing that international dialogue with a streetwear-tinge, of course. Tapping Eli Russel Linnetz of ERL as a collaborator, Jones’ streetwear leanings were on full display this season. Setting the tone at the outset were a trio of grey monochrome looks, each offering updated takes on traditional tailoring.
“We started looking at the Dior archive from the year of my birth, 1991,” Russell Linnetz said in a statement released toV. “This was during Gianfranco Ferré’s period as artistic director and was part of the history of Dior that felt completely fresh for both Kim and me.”
Packed full of slouchy tailoring and reimagined essentials—knit vests, punchy pullovers—Jones and Russel certainly leaned into the ultra-cool, casual chic of Venice Beach throughout the collection. Ferré’s renowned playful elegance was reimagined through breezy satin padded suiting and maximalist silhouettes like an enormous plaid coat slouched cooly near the hips.
Pastel sweaters paired with flowing, cut-to-perfection trousers were shown next to baby blue mini shorts: a match made in Kim Jones heaven. Too, a sweater with “California Couture” emblazoned across the chest also made an appearance midway, driving home the dialogue between Jones, Russell, and Venice Beach.
Russel, an LVMH Prize finalist, certainly made his presence known as crystal encrusted trousers and oversized sneaker skaters harkened to the designers ever-expanding repertoire. As always, Jones excelled accessories-wise with must-have mini and full size saddle bags appearing throughout as well as oversized tote bags ideal for any lazy Venice Beach day.
As fog filled the 30-foot nylon wave hosting guests on Pacific Avenue, Jones and Russell’s models paraded the finale together, driving home that collaboration and community are more important than ever. See more from the Dior Men Spring 2023 Capsule Collection, below.