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Jonathan Anderson's Dior Redesigns Regency Romance for the iPhone Generation
If Anthony Bridgerton time-traveled to 2025, what would he wear? What if Mr. Darcy lived in a Lower East Side loft instead of his Pemberley estate? How would Little Women's Laurie dress if he were a creative director nepo baby? The latest Dior Homme collection indicates that J.W. Anderson might have the answer.
The Irish designer's highly anticipated first runway show as creative director for Christian Dior is finally here, debuting on June 27 at the Hôtel des Invalides during Paris Fashion Week for the Men's Spring/Summer 2026 season. And though we won't get to see his vision for womenswear until this fall, there are plenty of hints as to what's in store from the French fashion house's new era.
According to a press release from the brand, the collection references 'history and affluence' as Dior design codes get updated for a new generation: 'Amid all the youthful spontaneity, style is paramount, allowing empathy to redefine elegance."
The Dior Homme collection's first look says it all: Baggy cargo shorts with balloon-like proportions—capped off by tube socks and fisherman sandals—lent a summer in Bushwick aesthetic, while a 19th-century white necktie and high collar worthy of a Jane Austen drawing room brought a bit of bodice-ripping charm to the ensemble. It's Regency Era romance for the iPhone generation—and a fancifully modern introduction to the world of Dior, according to Jonathan Anderson.
The Zoomer boyfriend meets Brontë sisters vibe didn't stop there. Fancy dress party vests (in pink, white, and even lavender) paired with army fatigues, cable knits, and boxing sneakers (laces untied, of course). A strong case for more brocade and tweed in fashion emerged. And it was easy to imagine a modern-day Heathcliff wandering the moors wearing Look 19's cropped jacket, ab-hinting tuxedo shirt, and tasseled loafers (looking at you, Jacob Elordi!). Also, the men wore capes—so many capes!—in every luxurious fabric and pattern imaginable.
Anderson also lent a bit of prep flair to his new Dior with Ivy League touches. Jaunty suspenders, office blue oxfords, and even the dreaded Nantucket Red chinos made appearances on the runway. And perhaps most memorably, a pair of colorful sweaters draped over two models' shoulders, prompting the question: Who knew cable knit could be so sexy?
It was an inspired debut from the genius behind Loewe's tomato and puzzle bag, and a promise of what's to come in the months ahead—soft boy summer, anyone? Whether the Regency Era references will continue at Anderson's womenswear debut in September remains to be seen. Although I think we can all agree that an empire waist dress by Anderson in the style of Elizabeth Bennet would fly off the shelves.
Romance isn't dead, at least in the world of fashion.
Read the original article on InStyle
