There is an eccentricity to creative director Jonathan Anderson’s vision for menswear at Dior. Behold the
flamboyance of classic Christian Dior couture. Think of the distinctive Bar jacket, along with creations pulled from the archives, reimagined into men’s ready-to-wear that is assembled with modern wardrobe staples. It’s a recontextualisation of Dior codes for men, and for the now; this is Anderson’s New Look.
The styling is definitely offbeat while retaining that quintessential Dior refinement, but where it matters, real-world practicality is adhered to. Because, what grounds a look more than a sensibly sized bag?
Anderson presents the Dior Jett: a new line of bags that pays homage to Marc Bohan’s Dior Oblique pattern. Much like how the Dior Oblique is defined by the clear curvature of the letter “D” in the motif, the Dior Jett messenger and backpack are crafted with soft curves and an equally supple construction. Every corner of the design has been rounded off to augment the appearance of the clean lines in the craft of each bag. Whether in the messenger or the backpack version, the Dior Jett slouches ever so slightly when not completely filled, and retains a sturdy structure when packed.
The Dior Jett messenger comes in three options—small, medium and large—with each designed to be more roomy than one would imagine. All three sizes are each able to fit at least a 13-inch laptop with the medium and large variations capable to storing a 15-inch. The interior is divided into a main compartment and a slip pocket that hides a zip pocket. The Dior Jett backpack, on the other hand, is available in one size and is similarly designed with a slip pocket in the interior for a laptop. It is constructed with a classic drawstring closure that’s concealed under a flap.
What makes the Dior Jett a looker is the clever way in which Dior branding is seamlessly incorporated into the design. On every adjustable strap across both the messenger and backpack styles, the buckles have been beautifully shaped into the House’s “CD” initials. It’s a polished way of adapting utilitarian functionality into truly refined pieces of hardware.
The Dior Oblique is definitely the hero in the Dior Jett. Even so, the Maison also offers options for those who would rather keep things simpler. The medium messenger is also available in suede or wool and simply branded with the revived Dior serif script. On the other hand, those who want to encapsulate the beginning of a new Dior chapter under Anderson, two of the collection’s emblematic book cover designs on Dior Book totes also decorate the medium-sized Dior Jett messenger: Dracula by Bram Stoker, and In Cold Blood by Truman Capote.
The Dior Jett bags are now available in boutiques and online.
