There's no Dior Men collection that exists without an artistic dialogue between artistic director Kim Jones and at least one collaborator. For spring 2022, the tradition continues with independent Japanese fashion brand sacai.
The Dior and sacai capsule collection combines style codes of both fashion forces for a decidedly utilitarian take on some of Dior Men classics. It's here that sacai creative director Chitose Abe's penchant for hybrid designs—an aesthetic that has involved combining different patterns, fabrics as well as categories together—take centrestage. French couture techniques and silhouettes are masterfully grounded with technical overlays and patchworks resulting in pieces such as a reworked Tailleur Oblique jacket.
What would've been a typical oversized jumper with intricate floral embroidery has been fitted with silver press studs running along the side seams. The collection's most utilitarian (and perhaps, most sacai) comes in the form of a Japanese denim look consisting of a denim jacket trimmed with nylon and a drawstring toggle right at the hem for the option of changing the fit and silhouette.
On the accessories front, the overall theme of hybridisation continues with the Saddle interpreted in combinations of leather and nylon—entirely colour-matched for a seamless look. The Saddle tote bag for example, is decorated with technical cords along the sides as well as a detachable leather and nylon bottle holder to complete the utilitarian expression. Those on the lookout for jewellery would find some satisfaction in the pearl-embellished CD Icon chains.
However, if sneakers are what you're looking for—especially with sacai's stellar collaborations with Nike—they're unfortunately not part of the capsule collection. The footwear offerings run along the same vein as the rest of the collection with hardier and sturdy boots as opposed to sneakers.
As with every Dior Men collaboration thus far, the Dior and sacai capsule collection also comes with a new remix of the Dior logo. This time around, it's effectively a combination of both logos in one where 'sacai' is placed within the 'I' in 'DIOR'—simple but a collectible all the same.
The Dior and sacai capsule collection is set to drop worldwide in November 2021.
