Mining culture for fashion inspiration has been the name of the game for a long time. The most famous example probably being the Mondrian collection by Mr. Yves Saint Laurent or his Ballets Russes. Dior Men and Fendi women’s designer Kim Jones has been making a name for himself in the field for decades now as well. From the Bloomsbury inspired first Fendi Haute Couture collection to his pre-fall 2022 show for Dior Men in London two days ago inspired by the Beat Generation and its spearhead writer Jack Kerouac, Jones has been at the forefront of turning any kind of cultural movement into a template for a strong fashion collection. His love for contemporary art ranging from kitschy Kenny Scharf to A list painter Peter Doig have informed past collections; his deep knowledge of 90’s house music which propels his runway soundtracks is well known, but the fact that he is also an avid reader of culture defining literature was news to Achtung. As prelude to the show, Jones created a mini exhibition of his private collection of Beat Generation books and related artwork culminating in a Velvet Underground and Nico vinyl cover signed by Andy Warhol with the famous yellow banana. The collection is truly impressive including personal letters from Kerouac to his mother and was a great way to bring to life the inspiration behind a collection.

Only in fashion?

Kim Jones actually lives in London even while he designs collections in Rome and Paris for a living. It was only appropriate that this Englishman would find inspiration in a generation defining novel by an American writer to bring the French Haute Couture house Christian Dior to London. Conventions are not for fashion.

The silhouette?

After his recent outings in extreme tailoring, it felt fresh to see a straight-legged, high water trouser over a shirt with skinny tie and roomy sports blazer. The washed out jeans in this silhouette are immediate must haves.

The knitwear?

All of Jones Fair Isle sweaters and knitwear looked terrific bringing the couture house touch with embroidered sequins at the end of sleeves.

The best touch?

Using Kerouac book cover designs that were hand painted and printed onto silks and leather like the typography minded Big Sur was a strong analog translation of the inspiration.