Dior Men is no stranger to artist collaborations in their collections — Amoako Boafo, Daniel Arsham and Shawn Stussy to name a few — but the Dior Men Summer 2022 collection might just be the most fully-developed one the House has seen. Bringing to centerstage is Travis Scott, the American rapper who has become one of the most forefront global cultural icons.
Dior Men artistic director, Kim Jones has been contemporising the storied French Maison with American influences since his appointment while the collections consistently hark back to the founder, Monsieur Christian Dior’s history of business in America. However for the Dior Men Summer 2022 collection, the source of inspiration is exacting — Texas, one of Monsieur Christian Dior’s stop in his journey to America to celebrate his debut collection in 1947. The narrative clicks right away with Texan-born Scott — bringing contemporary Texas to Paris.
The Dior Men Summer 2022 show takes place in a recreation of Monsieur Christian Dior’s childhood rose that transits into a cactus garden to reflect Scott’s native landscape. The soundtrack that provided the ambience to the collection is also a tease to several of Scott’s upcoming releases.
“Cactus Jack Dior” is the title of this Dior Men Summer 2022 collection, which draws its name from Scott’s Cactus Jack Records label. As per previous collections, the artist-in-residence brings some art into the collaboration. Scott reworked the iconic Dior Oblique to spell out “Jack” and introduced several ghoulish motifs. Continuing on the trajectory of traditions, the monogram has also been reimagined for the Dior Men Summer 2022 collection — a diamond “CD” monogram, which can be traced back to the 1960s archives. The iconic Toile de Jouy has also been thematically reimagined with cactus.
At this point, one might think the Dior Men Summer 2022 collection is a reiteration of the classic American West but he could not be more wrong. Tailoring underpins the collection (as it should to reflect the savoir-faire of the House) where a modern rapper’s wardrobe clashes with his traditional roots — track pants are cut slim at the thighs and flared downwards to the leg, then embellished with couture detailing; T-shirts are washed to resemble tour merchandise, then embroidered and hand-painted. The Tailleur Oblique suit jacket fastens high on the body to slim and lengthen the silhouette, which draws imageries of masked heroes and villains in old Wild West movies.
The Dior Men Summer 2022 collection is built on a palette of black, mauve, neon green, pale blue and earthy brown tones — piercing excitable introductions amidst comfortable knowns. Jones has always been regarded for his keen sensibilities for dressing men for the now and this collaboration between creator and muse is a great exercise on commerciality that has been fully-developed to provide creative diversity.
Look 6: While the Spring Summer 2022 season has seen many shorts for men, the Dior Men’s version is cut slim with large pockets for flair (literally and figuratively). The modest embellished cropped jacket makes for a great contrast and to accommodate the “smart-casual” theme.
Look 1: The opening look that characterises the Dior Men Summer 2022 collection — modern meets traditional — sees elements of the Wild West (bolo tie reimagined as a brooch with links to the hat) that plays well with strong separates (the modern evening coat, the slim pants and the classic sneakers).
Look 3: Dior Men Summer 2022 bears witness to the first time Jones is working with Dior Joaillerie artistic director Victoire de Castellane on a high jewellery piece — a cactus necklace, blooming with precious gems — and it’s so charming worn with a simple graphic knit vest and a well-cut pair of tailored pants.
Look 16: While the sweater might be a little on the nose with its reference to the capes of the West, it well makes up for it with the statement it’s making.
Look 18: The pairing of mauve and pale blue on a reimagined collegiate jacket is a sweet combination for the cool boy who isn’t fazed by colour-gendering.
Look 24: Not only does the highlighter green jump out but a floral short-sleeve jumper over a suit jacket makes for a more interesting choice over previous seasons of “strap-on” accessories.
Look 39: There is something charmingly down-to-earth about this Tailleur Oblique suit set.
Look 43: Call this a personal bias (this editor has a penchant for raincoats) but this functional cape has sleeves cut shorter for enhanced mobility for the arms… to reach one’s mobile in his pants pocket.
Look 46: The boyish charm of this well-dressed man is made irresistible, he is now one’s best boyfriend/bro-friend/”girl”-friend.
Look 50: Wedding suit, anybody?
This story first appeared on Men’s Folio.
