Dior recently released its 2025 summer men’s wear series in Paris. The site was decorated with several giant ceramic artist Hylton Nel’s childlike animal sculptures, highlighting the season’s theme: craftsmanship in a concrete way. Menswear creative director Kim Jones reflects the philosophy and dedication of art and applied arts through the life of ceramicist Hylton Nel in clothing. Dior brand ambassadors Robert Pattinson, Cha Eun-woo, Korean boy band Tomorrow x Together and other celebrities also attended the show.
Craftsmanship and quality of life are at the heart of Dior’s Summer 2025 men’s collection. The overall structure of the garment combines men’s workwear and historical women’s haute couture, adding artistic inspiration from South African ceramicist Hylton Nel to the theme, shape and earthy style, creating a sculptural yet wearable silhouette, with low-key yet elegant details. Ceramic beadwork and Hylton Nel graphic lines are made by Parisian craftsmen, while the functionality of work clothes is sublimated by archive couture tailoring or the Dior couture atelier, making them both fashionable and functional.
Tailor-made suits and jackets feature rounded body-cut silhouettes. Classics in the haute couture database inspire new designs: an unproduced coat sketch from Saint-Laurent’s 1958 autumn/winter collection was not only produced for the first time, but also extended to more couture looks; another Saint-Laurent’s design “Negatif” in the 1960 autumn and winter series inspired the scarf collar design throughout the entire series, using original craftsmanship to create imitation ceramic structures and contours. Knitting combines Hylton Nel’s patterns, prints and ceramic buckles, showing an artistic flair.
The footwear is based on the “clog”, one of the most traditional work shoes, and is improved through rubber, extending into comfortable and easy derby shoes and motorcycle boots; Hylton Nel’s patterned lines are decorated with rivets on the clog booties, which are also Rivet embroidery appears on clothing and bags. This season’s flagship Saddle bag is presented in a soft way, and many leather bags are combined with summer materials such as canvas and raffia. The cloche hat with ceramic beads was designed by Stephen Jones in collaboration with Earth Age South Africa and commissioned to be hand-crocheted by local artisans.
