Runway: Dior F/W 21

It is no secret that artist collaborations have become a mainstay for Kim Jones’ collections for Dior Homme. Each season we are eager to see which artist Jones will team up with to create a collection with their DNA infused into the garments. Whether it be streetwear artist icons such as Kaws or Shawn Stussy, Jones finds a way to elegantly infuse each artist's work into his collections. For F/W21, Jones recruited Peter Diog, a Scottish born artist who has spent much of the last two decades living in Trinidad. His artworks can be described as figurative, abstract, and involving landscapes. Jones described Diog’s work as “autobiographical,” which can be seen from the different locations the artist has lived in such as London, Canada, and Trinidad. For Dior’s F/W 21 Collection Diog’s artworks such as “Spearfishing (2013),” Two Trees,” and “Rain in the Port of Spain'' can be seen throughout the collection. Yellow anoraks, hand-painted bowler hats, lion-adorned blankets, and canvas inspired textile knits tied Diog’s artwork Jones’ color palette elegantly . The juxtaposition of Dior’s brightly colored artwork (particularly the lion-adorned pieces) created a harmonious yet beautiful contrast with the military-inspired jackets and suits. Jones explained that the more sartorial pieces throughout the collection were in fact inspired by ceremonial tailcoats of artists in France who were to be inducted into the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Paying homage to the brand’s Parisian roots, the buttons featured on the tailoring call back to the 1960’s couture dress designer Mark Bohan. Once more, Jones has been able to fuse his tastes in art & design with the brand heritage of Christian Dior in a modern yet classic appeal. While previous collections from Jones have tended to rely mostly on streetwear DNA in order to gain mass recognition, some of the most recent collections have turned inward and have displayed a more personal touch and allowed Jones to thrive through introspective. While hype and brand recognition are still some of the most profitable tools a designer can use, Jones has been able to balance his collections to keep intrigue and interest at an all-time high.