Page 52 - The Book For Men Fall/Winter 2023

A Step Forward
Dior’s latest lace-ups put a 3D-printed spin on the classic derby
KIM JONES HAS NEVER SHIED AWAY FROM INNOVATION. THE DESIGNER
has built his career on fierce future-gazing, all the while respectfully paying homage to traditions and styles of the past. Dior’s Fall/Winter 2023/2024 collection showcases his latest coup de grâce with an innovative take on the classic Dior Carlo derby shoe.
This futuristic spin on the shoe is a one-piece, 3D-printed design — from the sole to the upper — that has been completely made from recyclable ma- terials and is branded with tonal Dior detailing on the heel. Available solely in all-black, the shoes are polished after being printed, which highlights the ingenious material’s texture and showcases the complexity of its airy structure.
This is just the latest of Jones’s efforts to introduce the precision, virtu- osity, and savoir faire that has long defined women’s haute couture into Dior’s menswear space and, in doing so, help define the future of luxury menswear. The 3D-printed Carlo derbies are a formal classic, executed in a way that’s both compelling and appealing to forward-looking men. It’s a break from tradition without totally eschewing established style codes, while adopting a type of technology occasionally used to create sneakers.
A slick display of the brand’s innovative intent, the Dior Carlo derbies will be available at Dior boutiques throughout the fall and might very well become one of the Maison’s mainstays for many years to come.
52 BFM / FW23 PORTFOLIO
A STEP FORWARD: TEXT BY MARC RICHARDSON. PHOTO BY ANDREA CENETIEMPO