Jonathan Anderson presented his first collection for Dior at the Hôtel national des Invalides in Paris, marking a significant new chapter for the French fashion house.
The Summer 2026 collection reflects Anderson’s approach to redefining Dior’s codes through a dialogue between history, tailoring and youthful spontaneity.
Anderson, known for his intellectual take on design, explored the language of Dior with a focus on formality and reinvention. The collection introduced sharply tailored frockcoats and tweed Bar jackets alongside archival haute couture silhouettes originally created by Christian Dior. These historic elements reappeared notably in the form of contemporary cargo shorts.
Traditional tuxedo structures were paired with slouchy denim, creating a deliberate contrast between precision and ease. French embroidery from the 18th and 19th centuries appeared across pullovers and trainers, underscoring the collection’s historical influences. Despite these references, the show emphasised informality and empathy, presenting style as a vehicle for redefined elegance.
The collection’s debut was set against the backdrop of a custom-built space inspired by the velvet-lined galleries of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin. Two still life paintings by 18th-century French artist Jean Siméon Chardin were displayed on the walls. The works were loaned specifically for the event by the Musée du Louvre and the National Galleries of Scotland, adding cultural depth to the presentation.
Opening today, the show established Anderson’s direction for Dior: one rooted in heritage but shaped by a contemporary sensibility. The Summer 2026 collection positions empathy, youth and contrast at the centre of the house’s evolving identity.
