Courtesy of Dior Men's SS20.
Last Friday, Dior presented its SS20 collection at Paris Fashion Week Men’s. Exploring concepts of time, creative director Kim Jones re-visited iconic moments of Dior’s past while keeping his focus firmly on the future with a pinked-out, post-apocalyptic landscape studded with debris courtesy of contemporary artist Daniel Arsham. Here’s everything you need to know about the show that well and truly rocked this season’s edition of PFW.
Radical artist Daniel Arsham transformed the runway into a futuristic vision
Courtesy of Dior Men's SS20.
Jones teamed up with American artist Daniel Arsham, whose works radically combine art, architecture and performance, to create a runway design characterised by an aesthetic of futuristic dystopian whimsy. One half of the art and architecture collaborative Snarkitecture, Arsham has previously collaborated with dance choreographer Merce Cunningham and previously for Dior under Hedi Slimane back in 2005. Influences from the artist’s Future Relics series were seen not only in the interior setting, but also in some of the clothing pieces themselves, with motifs of cracked plaster paying homage to Arsham’s series of installations that explore the solidity of gallery walls.
The theme? Elegant Dystopia
Courtesy of Dior Men's SS20.
Models walked along a pink sand-covered surface, weaving between four crumbling sculptures that spelled out the word ‘D I O R’ before a crystal-filled plaster clock. The looks evoked a similarly futuristic atmosphere, with protective hoods, metallic layers and thick rubber boots proving the attire of choice for trudging through the desert landscape.
A collaboration with RIMOWA ensured equally futuristic and hardwearing accessories
Last month, RIMOWA featured Kim Jones in a new campaign, and the collaboration turned out to be mutual as models sported a selection of the accessory brand’s collection of steely clutches, shoulder bags, and full-sized luggage on the Dior runway. From cross-body saddle bags to a re-imagined coolbox, the pieces were doused in silver and other metallic hardware to continue the futuristic theme of Mad Max meets Space Cowboy.
Everything was pink
We’re not exaggerating. From the candy floss hues of Arsham’s pinkscape to the clothes themselves, Jones decided it was a case of go hard or go home when it came to choosing the colour palette for his SS20 show.
Newspaper print made an appearance in homage to John Galliano-era Dior
While the show in its entirety focussed on the future, Jones did include some signposts to the rich history of Dior’s past, such as a John Galliano’s iconic newspaper print dress sported not once but twice by Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw on SATC. The print was reimagined in see-through outerwear and a short suit offset with a dusty pink overcoat.