Jonathan Anderson presented his first womenswear collection for Dior on Wednesday during Paris Fashion Week, marking one of the most anticipated shows of the spring/summer 2026 season. The 41-year-old Northern Irish designer, who previously served as artistic director at Spanish brand Loewe for eleven years, now holds the distinction of being the first designer to assume full control of Dior's artistic direction since Christian Dior founded the house in 1946. His appointment to head both menswear and womenswear collections represents a significant consolidation of creative leadership at the French luxury label.
The runway presentation featured an elaborate set designed by filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, centered around an upside-down pyramid screen that exploded with visual effects. Anderson continued his practice of providing behind-the-scenes access to audiences, incorporating videos of VIP fittings into the pre-show entertainment and live-streaming celebrity arrivals. This approach, which he developed during his tenure at Loewe, offers unprecedented insight into the fashion creation process while shaping his design language into what industry observers describe as a powerful global aesthetic for the historic house.
Celebrity attendance underscored the event's significance within the fashion calendar, with house ambassadors including Jennifer Lawrence, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jenna Ortega, and Taylor Russell among the distinguished guests. The show also attracted notable figures from entertainment and politics, including Johnny Depp, Charlize Theron, France's first lady Brigitte Macron, K-pop singers Jimin and Jisoo, and actors Kit Connor and Jonathan Bailey. The diverse audience reflected the broad cultural reach that Anderson aims to achieve through his leadership at Dior.
Industry specialists have highlighted the unique challenge Anderson faces in unifying Dior's menswear and womenswear divisions under single creative direction. Serge Carreira, a luxury industry expert and professor at Sciences Po Paris, noted that "the challenge now, with one person leading the house's artistic direction, is how to connect these two areas" while maintaining distinct expressions within a cohesive brand identity. The collection received a standing ovation from attendees, signaling strong initial reception for Anderson's vision of bringing Dior's heritage into contemporary relevance through meticulous craftsmanship and bold conceptual execution.