Dior Men artistic director Kim Jones has taken the codes of Dior to astronomical levels, its beachwear capsule puts these standards to the test as it references professional water sports.
It remains a fact that the initial codes of Dior established by founder Monsieur Christian Dior — where femininity, glamour and style coincide — have no limits, even as they are employed in its menswear offerings. While each interpretation varies from its lineage of menswear artistic directors — some far-reaching, others bona fide — there has never been a wider perspective on the codes as with Kim Jones’ contemporary take on Dior Men. What should not be forgotten is that all of Jones’ collections have a recurring undertone — even across urban themes of sportswear and streetwear that may not be quintessentially associated with Dior — the codes will find their way inscribed even on the most inconspicuous offerings.
Take the Dior beachwear capsule collection for a start: made with a mix of technical and eco-conscious materials intended to endure the physical elements of the sea. A brilliant spin on the traditional cruise offerings of French fashion Houses — with its original intention dating back to when fashion Houses would offer ready-to-wear clothing in the inter- seasons for holiday travels — the second iteration of the Fall ’23 capsule takes on Monsieur Dior’s fascination with the sea in his childhood to sublime levels.
Here, references begin and end with the ocean. Each product offering — with abstract elements associated with professional water sports — establishes a sense of Dior in its choice of colours and an abundance of the Dior Oblique motif. While surfing and beachwear are words one might not typically associate with a Maison so imbued with Haute Couture and the red carpet, everything in the capsule oozes Dior at its most unrestrained. Picture grey-hued tones as it forms the base of the collection on an array of shorts, pants, tees, polo shirts and sweaters. Best of all, despite its heralding stance as an activewear capsule, it also performs as a layering piece for everyday use — and that is where the Dior codes take shape.
Fittingly, the collection is made of responsible materials and composed of 96% recycled fabrics. Dior’s second team-up with environmental organisation Parley for the Oceans — which began in 2019 — saw seismic improvements to the innovation of yarns and fabrics created from upcycled marine plastic debris and fishing gear recovered from coastlines and remote islands. These materials are then reworked in the Dior ateliers and would eventually become high-quality fabrics of seersucker, silky knit and technical variations. With Monsieur Christian Dior’s constant reference to nature in his works, who would reject such a handsome opportunity to preserve the ocean?
Once you are done with this story on Dior’s Beachwear Capsule collection, catch up with the rest of our June/July 2023 issue here.
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