Dior x ERL Summer ‘23 Capsule Debuts in Venice, California
Photos Courtesy of Dior & Eric Staudenmaier.
Kim Jones, fashion disrupter and visionary Creative Director at Dior Men, is pushing the boundary of what we’ve accepted fashion to be and where it can live. On May 19th, 2022, Kim Jones trekked to skater haven Venice, California to bring his Dior Men vision and brilliance to a new stomping ground in Los Angeles.
The epicenters of action have historically been Paris, Milan, and New York City. This is not only universally true, but something we accept every year as we flock to experience fashion-induced adrenaline rushes. However, Kim Jones shattered that expectation as he transformed one of the most historic streets in Los Angeles into a runway for one night.
Neon Installation at Dior Men - Photo by Andrew Barber
With a backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and situated directly beneath the iconic ‘Venice’ sign, the Dior x ERL Capsule was unsurprisingly perfect and curated in every way. Guest designed by Venice-based brand ERL (Eli Russell Linnetz), the capsule fuses 90’s skater-inspired Californian style with a dose of modern French fashion. In a quick glimpse, you could make out the words ‘California Couture’ across a model’s chest - masterfully coined and appropriate for the collection.
At the start of the show, we saw the Dior staples of soft creams and light greys; glimpses of neon were the first iterations of the Dior x ERL fusion. Shimmering sweaters, crystal piping on oversized pants, gold hardware on plush micro saddle bags, and spiked hair - the pieces were at the crossroads of historical and contemporary era.
Attendance was equally impressive, as names like Kid Cudi, Winnie Harlow, Tommy Hilfiger, and Christina Aguilera made their way to the front row. The list of celebrities and tastemakers in attendance was expansive, making for a star-studded, fashion-packed night that Angeleno’s will talk about in perpetuity.
As men’s fashion used to take a backseat to traditional women’s runway and haute couture, new paths are being paved for the world of menswear. While we’ve seen luxury brands bring pop-ups and exhibits to Los Angeles in the past, this is one of the first times a major fashion house has brought its entire men’s show to the Golden Coast.
Shattering the expectation that fashion can only happen in certain parts of the world, Kim Jones shows a deep understanding that convergence of art and life can happen absolutely anywhere. While it’s yet to be known where Kim Jones will reveal his next Dior Men collection, we can confidently say the impression he left in Los Angeles has left us all wanting more.
View the full Dior x ERL Summer 2023 Capsule Collection below.
