Jonathan Anderson's Dior Hit and the "Animal Crossing" Vibe

Jonathan Anderson's debut Spring/Summer 2026 men's collection for Dior was an undeniable "hit", warranting the immense hype with its "delightful, whip-smart" presentation that earned a standing ovation. This highly anticipated collection, sees Anderson taking the reins of both menswear and womenswear.

His first show for Dior is a bonafide hit and, we argue, may be the "Animal Crossing of fashion". Anderson infused his vision with playful and delightful elements, like invitations as porcelain plates with three eggs – a "playful nod to 19th-century French faience trompe l’oeil" – and reimagining the iconic Book tote as classic novel covers, adding a "cheeky perspective" and "academic ties".

His approach highlights customization and unexpected combinations, creating "new sartorial archetypes" through a "spontaneous, empathetic collusion of then and now", evidenced by pairings such as a Donegal tweed bar jacket with "ballooning cargo shorts fastened with a pleated, cascading bustle", or embroidered waistcoats with "white jeans and sneakers".

This collection also exhibits a broad appeal and accessibility within luxury, aiming for "new gen" customers with its "friendly informality" and "youthful insouciance", incorporating wearable elements like jeans and undone trainers, and even noted as suitable for women and the "East Asian, androgynous K pop market".

Furthermore, Anderson's work deeply embeds nostalgia and comfort by "de-coding to re-code Dior", making "relics of the past things rediscovered in the archives" feel fresh and contemporary, proving his "unconventional and playful ability to interrogate his references".