Dior Launches Fall 2023 "Dior Tears" Campaign with Denim Tears

Following its premiere at the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo alongside Kim Jones‘ full Pre-Fall 2023 presented adjacent to the Great Pyramids of Giza, Dior now unveils the full lookbook for its collaboration with Tremaine Emory‘s Denim Tears. The project follows several exciting joint ventures led by Jones including collaborations with Eli Russell Linnetz earlier this year for a menswear Spring ‘23 capsule, as well as with Shawn Stussy, sacai, KAWS, and Daniel Arsham prior.

Titled “Dior Tears,” the collection is said to pay tribute to Black artists and creatives such as James Baldwin and jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, who were celebrated in Europe in the ’50s even as segregation raged back home in the U.S.

“I want to share that moment in time, that beautiful moment in time where black writers and musicians and artists were coming from America, running from America, and finding some level of acceptance in certain European cities and being able to have their art respected and who they are respected,” says Emory. “It wasn’t perfect but it was just a moment, a beautiful moment for blacks to have the privilege and opportunity to escape from the terror, the horrors of America, a segregated Jim Crow America. Artists like Miles Davis and writers like James Baldwin found refuge in Paris.”

Inspired by the artists’ journeys and the look of black Ivy league students in the ’50s, the collection is described as American homespun meets French high craft while acting as a microcosm of Denim Tears and its overarching dialogue relating to the African diaspora. The joint collection also pays homage to the civil rights movement with its workwear silhouettes.

Peace sign-shaped cotton wreaths adorn Dior monogrammed pieces while Rasta colors and hues associated with the Pan-African flag are spread across mohair sweaters and scarves. Collegiate influences are found across varsity jackets and shirts bearing fuzzy “Dior Tears” armbands and knitted v-neck vests “Dior Tears” resembling basketball jerseys. Offering a wide of combinations for different occasions, classic tailoring pieces come with subtle detailing and conscious fabric selections while cotton plant visuals are spread across everyday staples.

Led by Emory, who founded the brand in 2019, Denim Tear presents its Dior collaboration following partnerships with Levi’s, Converse, and Ugg.

The “Dior Tears” campaign shots are found above and additional closer looks at the series’ clogs and sneakers are available courtesy of Dior Men’s Head Footwear Designer, Thibo Denis.

In other news, we spoke with designer Jakob Hetzer for Essentials.