Jonathan Anderson Is Ready to Recode the House of Dior With His Debut SS26 Men's Collection
Signalling a new dawn for Dior.
Summary
- Jonathan Anderson unveiled his highly anticipated debut for Dior Men’s SS26, “recoding” the house’s identity by blending its heritage with his conceptual modern artistry
- Anderson reinterpreted classic Dior codes with an “undone” elegance, showcasing Irish Donegal tweed Bar jackets paired with voluminous shorts
- The collection was rich with literary and artistic references
It was a breath of fresh air at Dior. Ringing in a new era with Jonathan Anderson at the helm of Dior, the luxury fashion label debuted a new vision under the designer with its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection. Showing at Paris Fashion Week, Anderson began his new role at Dior with the reveal of a new but old logo change. Speaking to Vogue Business, the designer commented on the importance of drawing inspiration from Dior’s heritage. Anderson revealed that he first began with the Dior branding label, reaching back into the house’s archives to refine the block letter aesthetic. Refining the text, he brings the old with the new, as the Irish designer attempts to rebuild the house.
Expectations were high for Anderson’s menswear collection as it set the tone for the future of the house of Dior. An event poised to redefine the codes of the venerable Parisian house, the industry is keenly watching how his unique blend of conceptual artistry and modern craftsmanship will intersect with Dior’s storied legacy of elegance and precise tailoring. His debut collection is a play on history and affluence, as he decodes the language of the house before he attempts to recode it. While the show had a miles long attendance of A-listers, the set was a nod to the importance of art. In a room modeled to mirror the velvet-lined interiors of Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie, featuring two beautiful paintings by Jean Siméon Chardin (1699-1779). An understated commentary on creating art o display, the museum room setting fuels a sense of liberation and joyfulness amongst masterpieces.
Joy is brought from the art of dressing. As the collection unfolds, all eyes are on how Anderson navigates Dior’s foundational principles—the New Look silhouette, the exacting tailoring, the subtle luxury—through his distinctive lens. Will we see his characteristic play with proportion and volume? How will his love for tactile, artful textures manifest within Dior’s sophisticated fabrics? His past work often subverts expectations, offering garments that are both familiar and entirely novel. For Dior Men SS26, expect a collection that dialogues with history while speaking a distinctly contemporary language, setting a compelling new direction for the brand’s future. Anderson reimagines the Bar Jacket in an an Irish Donegal tweed—a nod to his own heritage. A common theme in the collection saw the designer deconstruct formality, with ties worn backwards and cape-like overcoats paired with short trousers and sporty tube socks. Tuxedo shirts and waistcoats were paired with denim, with some even with silk evening scarves. Historical references are given a contemporary twist, bringing 18th and 19th-century French menswear a modern silhouette. Even accessories spoke volumes: the Dior Book Tote received a masculine makeover, featuring literary covers like Charles Baudelaire’s Les Fleurs du Mal and Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood. Smart pastel knits, round-toed CD loafers, suede logo-emblazoned slippers, and elegant sandals showcased a readiness for the market.
View this post on Instagram
