On December 3, Dior presented Pre-Fall Men’s 2023 collection in Egypt. It was a show that appealed to all the senses, merging ancient civilizations, Maison history, and futuristic images.
At dusk, a gigantic runway illuminated by LED lights appeared on the horizon of the Giza desert. As techno music played and fashion models appeared on the runway, the three pyramids were lit up in succession, and the white outlines of the pyramids emerged in the dark, silent sky.
When the first model appeared in his peroxide blonde hair, 1980s casual tailoring, and moon boots; it recalled David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation of “Dune”, a critical disaster at the time that has since gained cult status. Some people would link with starring Timothée Chalamet on Dune from their lineups twirling capes, 3D-printed breastplates, and space helmets.
Subsequent shows layered looks with tulle scarves and flowing fabrics in neutral tones of sand, stone, and white. In addition, futuristic and effortless tailoring was sprinkled with roll necks and technical pieces over jackets with roomy shoulders and sleeves.
The models wore 3D-printed monogrammed body vests and walked with space helmets. Among them, various colors of knitwear with “superstitious” motifs such as Illuminati pyramids and constellation graphics also appeared.
This beautiful blockbuster show was led by the positions of both Christian Dior Couture chairman and CEO Pietro Beccari and men’s artistic director Kim Jones as leaders. According to Baccari, Jones expressed his desire two and a half years ago to come to Egypt, and thus the decision of location and setting was entirely down to Jones.
Jones wrote on the show note, “My interest in ancient Egypt is about the stars and the sky. It links to Christian Dior in that sense and by way of his fascination with symbols and superstitions that recur throughout his life and work.”
The designer also decided to connect Dior’s 75th-anniversary celebrations to the 100th-anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb by British archaeologist Howard Carter. “We were looking at the idea of the explorer, and the fact they were doing it all in suits, so that’s why tailoring is the underpinning of everything, which is very Dior anyway, but then we sort of layered on top of it, so to speak,” Jones said.
At the venue, about 800 people including Robert Pattinson, Naomi Campbell, Daniel Kaluuya, Lewis Hamilton, and K-pop stars Cha Eun Woo and Sehun were invited.
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, reconstructed by British composer Max Richter and performed by the 12 Ensemble Orchestra, started to play at the end of the show, the audience was dazzled by not just the landscape lit up by lasers and floodlights, but also by the whole scene.
Jones acted not only as the designer of the brand but also as the director of the show which successfully created a mystical spectacle from the brand’s archives and beyond.
Watch Dior Men Fall 2023 Show