From Dior Homme to Dior Men: How Kim Jones Made Menswear Couture
Dissecting what defined Kim Jones’ legacy in his seven years as Dior’s creative director of menswear.
Kim Jones‘ Dior Men era will forever go down as one of the most standout and transformative seasons for modern menswear. When he showed his final collection during the Fall 2025 Paris Fashion Week, audiences around the world saw Jones deliver his perfected and pinnacle vision of contemporary male elegance. In the seven years at the house of Dior, Kim Jones confidently built the menswear division block by block. Appointed creative director of Dior Men in 2018, he stepped into a role that demanded innovation and reverence for history. Since his debut collection, Jones made a splash with the introduction of a striking collection that featured a modern twist on classic menswear silhouettes. The show stunned onlookers with its bold colors and innovative designs, creating a buzz that rippled through the fashion industry. At Dior, Jones did not just maintain the status quo, but he catapulted the the house’s menswear line into a new era, blending tradition and contemporary flair.
Kim Jones, King of Collabs
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Dior
His first collection set the tone for what was to come for the next seven years at Dior Men. Establishing his aesthetic from the get go, his style was evidently rooted in creating a synergy between streetwear and luxury. When Jones’ famously spearheaded collaborations between Supreme and Louis Vuitton back in 2017, the fashion industry saw a shift that was unprecedented. Kicking off his first show with Dior with a major KAWS partnership, Jones’s quickly cemented himself as “king of collabs.” While at Dior, Jones continued to merge luxury and streetwear characteristics, shifting the high fashion scene to what it is today. During his time at Dior, Jones had many high profile collaborations, including partnering with rapper Travis Scott, Stüssy, Daniel Arsham, Kenny Scharf, Eli Russell Linnetz and many more. His knack for collaboration has always hinted at his clear understanding of what drives demand and subsequently, thrive with the iconic French house. His business acumen when it comes to being in the know of what the public wants in fashion nowadays is to be applauded. Throughout his seven years at Dior, Jones has successfully blurred the lines between high fashion and street style. His collections featured elevated silhouettes that appealed to a younger demographic and by embracing casual elements alongside luxury, he reinvented what it means to dress well, appealing to a broader audience. These collaborations not only attracted media attention but also positioned Dior as a leader in contemporary menswear.
Dior Men’s New Era of Masculinity
Kim Jones ushered in a new era of masculinity. When he first entered the house of Dior, he renamed Dior Homme to the now, Dior Men. Coming out of the gates swinging, the menswear line’s rebrand embraced the global positioning Jones wanted to bring Dior Men. By changing “Homme” to “Men,” Jones understood that it would create a ripple effect across the industry, making it more accessible to younger consumers. Kim Jones was undoubtedly a master at his craft, redefining couture for men at Dior. His ingenious tailoring combined heritage house codes with contemporary tropes can only be described as craftsmanship at the highest level. Invested in quality, he often used sustainable fabrics, reflecting a commitment to the environment. This focus on detail and ethics has garnered respect within the industry also setting new standards for luxury.
Reimagining the “new look” for men, Jones’ has been able to meld Monsieur Dior’s mid-century couture stylings with the utilitarian aesthetic to create the house’s newly celebrated version of masculinity. Gender-bending designs feature elements that defied traditional norms, inviting a conversation about menswear today. This commitment to inclusivity resonated with a growing audience, altering perceptions of menswear. Throughout his tenure at Dior, he delivered his iconic satin sashes draped over lapels of jackets for Fall 2019 and Spring 2020, all while giving a nod to Christian Dior’s own couture archive. From opulent capes to taffeta swing coats and in Fall 2024, reissuing the embroidery from Monsieur Dior’s “Debussy” gown from Spring 1950 into a vest, to his final season, bringing back the house’s 1954 “H-Line” haute couture collection for Fall 2025, Jones was one-of-a-kind.
Legacy Showmanship
A game changing designer, Kim Jones has made menswear both elegant and timeless, but most importantly wearable. Beyond being the king of collaborations, Jones’s iterations of Christian Dior’s house codes were also masterfully presented. On the runway, Jones is the greatest showman, bringing completely new experiences whenever he presents his collections. From his original 33-foot-tall floral KAWS sculpture made of 70,000 peonies and roses at his debut show to staging a 39-and-a-half-foot statue of a silver robo-babe by the incomparable Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama, showing at the Giza Pyramids in Egypt and more, Kim Jones has fully transformed the way fashion shows are presented. Paying just as much attention to the staging and utilizing it as a way to improve the brand’s image, Kim Jones’ creativity had no bounds at Dior.
Creating a lasting impression on Dior Men, Kim Jones has left a long-term impact on the house’s brand identity. His legacy has shaped Dior Men’s future collections and redefined masculinity for the modern era, setting new standards for luxury, couture menswear. As fashion continues to evolve, Jones’ influence will remain, reminding us of the power of creativity in shaping culture.
