Celebrities gathered to witness the debut of Northern Ireland’s Jonathan Anderson’s first women’s ready-to-wear collection for Dior at Paris Fashion Week.
The highly-anticipated show, held on Wednesday, drew a star-studded audience including actors Johnny Depp and Jennifer Lawrence, French First Lady Brigitte Macron, and K-Pop sensations Jimin and Jisoo.
Anderson, hailing from Magherafelt, County Londonderry, was named earlier this year as the first designer to helm both the women’s and men’s lines at the globally recognized fashion house.
Renowned for his innovative aesthetic, Anderson has previously crafted designs for prominent figures like Rihanna and Ariana Grande.
Dior indicated in a statement that the collection would pay homage to the brand’s heritage.
“To embark on a journey into the house of Dior demands a profound understanding of its history, a willingness to interpret its iconic language embedded in the collective imagination, and the determination to encapsulate it all,” the brand stated.
“Not to erase it, but to archive it, looking forward while revisiting fragments, echoes, or entire silhouettes, like revisiting cherished memories.”
The brand further noted that the “visionary feeling” behind the show aimed for “harmony and tension.”
Early reviews from the fashion press have been overwhelmingly positive regarding Anderson’s debut in womenswear.
Vogue Magazine on its website, remarked that Anderson had unlocked a “daring new Dior.”
The Independent commented that the collection “managed to feel simultaneously romantic, rebellious and refreshingly wearable,” with Anderson injecting a “shot of youthful energy” into Dior while respecting the brand’s core identity.
“At Dior, [Anderson] inherits not just a brand but a cultural institution. His debut suggested he’s up for the challenge,” the publication added.
Ahead of the show, Irish designer Jen Kelly, originally from Londonderry and now based in Dublin, emphasized the significance of the moment for Anderson and its implications for Dior’s future direction.
“The eyes of the world will be on this show, and expectations will be very high,” he told BBC News NI.
“Jonathan is young, vibrant, and full of new ideas, so I have no doubt he and his team want to make a statement with this.
“I think, as we’ve seen since it was founded, the House of Dior has these defining moments in its history, and Jonathan’s work will show us what direction they are set to take next.”
Jen Kelly acknowledged the highly competitive nature of the fashion industry and the anticipation surrounding Anderson’s work.
“You can be the cream of the crop one day and cold porridge the next – gone in a whim if you don’t live up to expectations,” he said.
He highlighted the significance of someone from Northern Ireland, and indeed the entire island, achieving such prominent success.
“It shows once again that this place, despite its small size, really does pack a big punch,” he said.
“Jonathan Anderson is vastly experienced, having established his own label and led Loewe, so I have no doubt he and his world-class team are more than ready.”
In January, British designer Kim Jones stepped down as artistic director for Dior’s menswear.
Anderson’s appointment at Dior was part of a significant reshuffling of leadership positions at global fashion brands following a series of resignations and departures.
Prior to joining Dior, the 41-year-old served for 11 years as creative director of the Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe.
Following his debut Dior menswear collection in June, Anderson’s womenswear premiere is considered one of the most anticipated events of the spring/summer 2026 season.
Anderson received his training at the London College of Fashion before commencing his career in Prada’s marketing department.
He launched his eponymous brand, JW Anderson, in 2008 before being appointed as the creative director at Loewe, a Spanish leather goods brand established in 1846, in 2013.
In 2023, he designed Rihanna’s Super Bowl half-time performance outfit, which she used to announce her pregnancy, and Ariana Grande’s 2024 Met Gala gown.
One of his designs, a colourful patchwork crochet cardigan worn by singer Harry Styles, which inspired a viral TikTok trend amongst fans during the Covid-19 pandemic, was added to London’s Victoria and Albert Museum fashion collection earlier this year.
Anderson has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including Designer of the Year at the 2024 Fashion Awards in December for the second consecutive year.
He is also the son of former Ireland rugby captain, Willie Anderson.
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