For Kim Jones, there isn’t any limitation in showing his obsession with the Bloomsbury Group. A set of contemporary English intellectuals during the early 20th century, Jones was already a documented (and vocal) fan of Virginia Woolf, one of the ten core members. However, for Dior Men’s spring 2023 collection, painter Duncan Grant is the epicenter of inspiration.

Through a set composed of 19,000 plants, the histories of Dior and Grant were brought together as models made their way from Granville and Normandy to Charleston, England, where lies the residence of Grant and his wife, Vanessa Bell. The garden was set with flowers composed of rich purples and pinks and models fixed in the same pastel palette. 

With Jones enthusiast of the outdoors, outerwear did not hold back as the opening look reconstructed tailored suit as the perfect hiking outfit, waterproof rucksack included. This is one of the many ways Jones has connected himself to Christian Dior and Duncan Grant, as the late artist’s influence appeared in the collection through prints of his artworks on sweaters. 

Tech is packed throughout, most notably through footwear as the hiker shoe is reimagined and gardening boots appear in Christian Dior’s “Grey.” Waterproof outerwear was deconstructed into draping shawls, while the traditional straw hat is modernized through (maybe slightly dysfunctional) rubber. 

It’s not difficult to conclude that the natural world is a connection to the past and future for Jones, as outwear continues to be his most significant appeal to his young fanbase.