There has been a lot of talk of Kim Jones' debut collection for Dior Men lately. And it's no surprise, given how this is probably the first time in a while that both the menswear and womenswear collections at Dior, are somewhat cohesive (yet uniquely separate) under two different creatives. The level of craftsmanship and sophistication that Jones has brought to his menswear collection is a refreshing turnaround from the often punk inspiration of seasons past.
Digging deep into the archives of Dior, Jones took inspiration from the many different style codes that made the house of Dior what it was back in the day. The toile de Jouy motif for example, was originally part of the original Christian Dior boutique at Paris' 30 Avenue Montaigne, and has been translated into jacquards and embroideries for the collection. The Dior Oblique pattern—originally introduced in 1967 and usually used for women's accessories—is now a stunning addition to the Dior Men's style vocabulary.
The Dior Oblique is apparent in many pieces of the collection, from a tank top in see-through silk to the menswear debut of the Dior Saddle bag. The standout however, is the B23 high-top sneakers in Dior Oblique canvas. It's a simple silhouette for sure, but the addition of the Dior Oblique motif makes it the best representation of Kim Jones' direction for Dior Men—a contemporary combination of esteemed heritage and craftsmanship, with modern interpretations of masculinity.
This is not the first time that the couture house has designed sneakers, nor would it be the last. But this, to date, is quite possibly the only iteration of a sneaker that makes sense for Dior.
