ERL/Dior

Dior and ERL’s New Capsule Collection for Spring 2023 Featured “California Couture”

Dior, under Kim Jones‘ direction, has consistently pushed the boundaries of directional menswear, creating approachable sheer organza pieces, reinterpreting the “Saddle” bag, and igniting a footwear frenzy.

Advertisement

Jones continues in this vein for Spring 2023, collaborating with ERL‘s Eli Russell Linnetz on a new capsule collection dubbed “California Couture.”

The capsule was shown in California’s Venice Beach, which is a first-time location setting for the brand, as a first-ever guest-designed collaboration between Jones and Linnetz. Models in vibrant pastel satin suits, quilted puffer jackets, Christmas-colored tinsel tops, and cozy half-zip pullovers walked the runway for ERL x Dior.

’90s style suit jackets were inverted with fabric lining worn on the outside to show a vintage “CD” logo pattern, tuxedo pants had crystal-encrusted side paneling, and oversized denim pants and shorts were treated with a light stonewashed effect.

Advertisement

The collaborative accessories were strong enough to carry their own show, even though they were paired with corresponding ensembles. Mini “Saddle” bags, dubbed “Male Minaudiere,” were introduced in a precious gold and Christmas tinsel format, skate sneakers were embellished with satin and leather quilting, and beanies were enhanced with pearl detailing and top-tied flaps.

Jones (the Dior Men’s Artistic Director) explains the motivation behind the collaboration:

“We have worked with lots of different people on our collections, but this time I wanted to work with someone in a different way. I wanted somebody to see Dior from a different angle.”

“With Eli Russell Linnetz, not only do I like his work but working with a younger designer on Dior Men and seeing things from his perspective, felt incredibly inspiring,” he adds.

Linnetz also gave insight into their design pairing, stating, “We started looking at the Dior archive from the year of my birth, 1991. This was during Gianfranco Ferré’s period as Artistic Director, and was a part of the history of Dior that felt completely fresh for both Kim and me.”

Advertisement

There’s a collision of moments in time and history throughout the collection of cross-generational and spatial meetings in time,” he added.

More information on the collaboration and its availability can be found on the brand’s website.


SHOP OUR FAVORITES