BRINGING together two opposing ends of fashion, Kim Jones adds Stone Island to his list of reputable collaborators with Dior.
Elevating the men’s outerwear brand, founded in Modena in 1982 by Massimo Osti, the artistic director joins Monsieur Dior’s couture vision with that of Osti’s military functionality for an exclusive capsule.
“It is the coming together of ‘obsessives’,” explains Jones. “I think they’d recognise something in each other and in what they achieved through clothing. Here, in the coming together of contrasting traditions, there’s a new kind of clothing alchemy”.
Noting the parallels that are drawn between the two brands, the romance and savoir-faire of Dior’s heritage is lifted and translated into the rigour of the Stone Island aesthetic. Creating hybrid pieces that maintain the high level of tailoring and material choice synonymous at the French House, silk, in particular, is reimagined transforming from luxury eveningwear to being focused on as a ‘military mainstay’.
Known for its signature garment dyeing practice, Stone Island’s famous touch is reconsider by the Dior ateliers, who through experimentation, have unveiled ‘garment-dyed embroidery’ that takes examples from couture AW95 and SS13 and applies this to outerwear and knitwear.
This complex, hand-done process debuts something new for both brands. Whilst unveiling never-seen-before practices, the collection is centred around a central theme of ‘alchemy of colour’ – which leaves surprise as the final form of the piece is only discovered after the dyeing process.
Quintessential design aspects of Dior and Stone Island are evident in the capsule. From the double pleat tailoring motif found in Dior’s SS52 couture collection and the Cannage pattern, to internal structures like the Dutch Rope system and the recognisable Stone Island compass insignia, the two opposing tastes effortlessly blended together across ready-to-wear and accessories.
by Imogen Clark
The collection will be available worldwide from July 4th 2024 and in London’s Selfridges from June 18th 2024.