Paris Men’s Fashion Week: Bella Hadid, Robert Pattinson among stars at Kim Jones’ Dior debut
Last week marked a series of big debuts during Paris Men’s Fashion Week, with British designer Kim Jones taking his turn at Dior Homme on Saturday.
Jones drew stars from the worlds of film, music and fashion to Paris for his first collection for the menswear division of fashion powerhouse Christian Dior.
Stars such as Bella Hadid, Victoria Beckham, Naomi Campbell, Robert Pattinson, Kelly Osbourne and Gwendoline Christie all marvelled as they entered the historic courtyard venue in which a 20-metre (66-foot) avatar sculpture of Christian Dior made of flowers towered over guests.
Here are some highlights from Saturday’s runway show.
Kim Jones’ debut at Dior
British designer Kim Jones dug deep into the Dior women’s archives to produce a softer-than-usual collection for men, which retained the house’s signature edginess.
Gentle pastel colours fused with flashes of cobalt blue, yellow and florals for the display that moved the Dior aesthetic in a gentler direction than that of Jones’ predecessor, Kris Van Assche, who looked on from the front row.
“Translating a quintessentially feminine couture identity into a masculine idiom results in clothes which are softer, with rounded shoulders and eased shapes,” the fashion house said.
There was much artistry.
The house’s staple shirt was given a slashed cowl at the back, exposing the back – in a touch of cool.
Translating a quintessentially feminine couture identity into a masculine idiom results in clothes which are softer, with rounded shoulders and eased shapes
Floral motifs referenced Dior’s love of flowers and a decorative landscape print cropped up in jacquards, embroideries and even in feathers.
The show’s programme notes said it was a pattern used in the original 1947 boutique on Paris’ Avenue Montaigne.
The Dior suits, in cashmere and summer mohair, were double breasted in reference to the diagonal shape of a women’s Dior jacket from 1950.
Yet to retain the edginess, the suits were worn against a naked torso on a model in trainers.
It was a great touch that perfectly summed up Dior’s sportswear-meets-couture style.
Dior as a flower giant
The sweet scents from a giant flower figure – by artist Kaws and made of pink, green and black flowers – wafted in between Dior’s celebrity guests.
The strange man – an avatar of Christian Dior clutching a perfume bottle in the shape of his dog Bobby – bowled over guests, including Kelly Osbourne.
“The set is actually incredible,” Osbourne said, craning her neck.
The 33-year-old British actress-singer, who joined model Natalia Vodianova on the front row, said she was attending the Paris debut to support her friend Jones, whose previous job was menswear chief at Louis Vuitton.
“As a proud Brit, it just goes to show how artistically talented we all are ... we’re so proud of him,” she said.
“It might be the entire front row crying.”
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Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham and Kelly Osbourne also in audience as designer creates softer-than-usual collection that retains brand’s signature edginess