Correct answer: DIOR x STÜSSY capsule
Back in December of 2019, Stussy took to Instagram to mention what this project means to him: “Kim Jones has brought me out of retirement to work with him and his Dior family on fall 2020.” Now with F/W 2020 collection only a month away, it is time to revisit the origins of this heavily anticipated collaboration. During the month of December rumours around which streetwear brand will be involved in the next DIOR capsule were swarming the internet, with thousands of edited user-generated content – including the now materialised Dior Air Jordans 1.
Following the outstandingly positive reviews of the DIOR X KAWS x ALYX collaborations that marked the beginning of Kim Jones reign at Dior, the fashion industry was eager to find out who will be the next contemporary creative temporarily stepping into Kim Jones’ shoes to co-create the next era of Dior. ones tenure at Dior has drawn attention for his expansive partnerships with artists that bridge the worlds of youth culture and fine art, including KAWS, Raymond Pettibon and Daniel Arsham.
This time the classy Dior shoes are being redesigned by none other than Shawn Stussy – the founder of the renowned skater wear brand Stüssy. Stussy left the eponymous brand he founded in 1996, staying fairly distant from the fashion industry. Considering the fact that it is Shawn Stussy’s unique penmanship that gave his brand its world-famous graffiti inspired ‘Stüssy’ logo it is inevitable that we will be seeing his handwriting appear on Dior garments and accessories. In fact, Stussy’s signature is so recognizable in pop culture that it even became its own typeface that Stüssy uses to this day.
Jones made the following statement in an interview in January: “For me to work with someone like Shawn is a real honor. He’s an artist, that’s the thing. If you can work that line like that, and it’s that memorable, it’s like an artist. That’s why I wanted to do it with him: he’s made an iconic image with his hand.”
The launch of this capsule coincides with another milestone – the 40th anniversary of Stussy’s Californian clothing brand, which he has stepped away from over 20 years ago. It is therefore safe to say that this collaboration truly marks the return of one of the most influential branding masterminds of the 90s era to the fashion community. The campaign, shot by Steven Meisel, frames the art deco Miami-inspired creation tastefully accentuated with Shawn Stüssy’s wavy lettering and floral graphics – both elements are also used as a psychedelic print on shirts, sweaters and bob hats and other garments in the collection.
Check out our hand picked shots from the promotional #diorXstüssy campaign below…
