FROM NEW LOOK TO NEW WAVE
– DIOR MEN’S SS 2024 –
It was an honour to collaborating with Kim Jones, Edward Crutchley, and the Dior team on the Dior Men’s Spring Summer 2024 show, a celebration of five incredible years since Kim took the helm at the house. The show featured statement headwear pieces adorned with traditional ronghua velvet flowers (绒花), handcrafted with meticulous care by Zhao Shu Xian (赵树宪) in Nanjing, China, and produced by Victoria Tang Studio.
Ronghua (绒花), which means "glory and splendor" (荣华) in Chinese, is a symbol of good luck and blessings. The show featured hats designed by Stephen Jones in collaboration with artist Cecile Feilchenfeldt, displaying a kaleidoscope of bright colours that echo the nuances of Monsieur Dior's gardens. The starting point for incorporating the ronghua designs was the colour palette of the season, inspired by pastel pinks, muted blues, and greens. A bouquet of flowers was carefully selected to carry a depth of meaning in Chinese tradition. Peonies are often associated with romance, prosperity and good fortune, and are known as the "king of flowers," symbolizing wealth and nobility. Hydrangeas are often associated with gratitude, heartfelt emotions, and perseverance.
The collection seamlessly combines the past and the present, honouring savoir-faire from around the world while embracing a spirit of forward-thinking. By fusing couture knitwear with ronghua, Dior pays homage to Chinese tradition while embodying contemporary elegance.
PHOTO CREDIT
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