After years of fashion running at full speed, Jonathan Anderson arrives with a vision that could change the rules of the game. Will Dior become synonymous with a slower but deeper fashion expression under his leadership?
When Jonathan Anderson was appointed creative director of Dior, it was more than just another change on the fashion throne. It meant unifying the women's, men's and haute couture collections under a single creative vision – something the brand last experienced in the era of Christian Dior himself. Anderson, who has also worked for Uniqlo and JW Anderson for many years, is tasked not only with reviving sales, but also with establishing a new aesthetic continuity that could serve as a model for the entire market.
How many collections are too many?
Just to give you an idea, Anderson will be responsible for up to 18 collections a year. Ten of these will be for Dior, four for JW Anderson, two for Uniqlo, and of course there will be capsule collections, collaborations and select projects. At a time when the entire fashion world is calling for a slowdown, this equation sounds like madness. But Anderson's strength lies precisely in his ability to create collections with a coherent vision without drowning in excess. Loewe is proof of this. The men's and women's collections form a strong whole without necessarily needing their own shows.
Slowing down means surviving
In recent months, we have seen a trend where even the biggest brands are starting to limit their presentations, or at least merge them. Many are switching to lookbooks, closed-door presentations, or merging men's and women's shows. Anderson is in an ideal position to confirm this change. Why couldn't Dior follow the example of Loewe or Bottega Veneta and show joint collections less often but more consistently?
JW Anderson as a laboratory for slowing down
While Dior will apparently continue its relentless march of destinations, pre-collections, and haute couture, JW Anderson's designer has much more freedom. His brand could afford to take a year off without losing media attention or prestige. This shows that even in fashion, which is obsessed with speed, absence can have the same effect as presence if it is backed by a strong identity.
Work smarter, not harder?
The fashion world is currently balancing between the remnants of old habits and the pressure of a new generation that demands meaning, sustainability, and authenticity. Jonathan Anderson is a talent of his generation, and under his leadership, Dior could become a laboratory where the emphasis shifts from quantity to quality. Not because the designer couldn't handle 18 collections a year, but because in 2025, we finally know that less can mean more.
