A New Era for Dior is On the Horizon, and These 5 Bags Will Help Shape It

      (Image credit: Launchmetrics) When Jonathan Anderson was appointed as the creative director of Dior, the fashion world was abuzz with speculation about his vision for the storied brand. Every time I met a fashion-savvy friend, we would inevitably discuss the "New Dior" and engage in a round of 20 questions. Would his designs embody the quirky and whimsical spirit of his Loewe creations? Which styles and eras would he draw inspiration from in the archives? Perhaps most critically, how would he reinterpret Dior's already iconic accessories? Anderson is known for his work on Loewe's sophisticated Puzzle bag, the popular vacation basket bag, the voluminous Goya bag, the revived Flamenco purse with a cinched design, and the relaxed Squeeze bag. His accomplishments at Loewe were remarkable. In just over a decade, he transformed the often-overlooked Spanish leather brand into a go-to destination for trendy accessories. This past fashion month, we finally got a glimpse of Anderson’s vision for Dior. True to expectations, his bag designs honored the heritage of the house while also feeling distinctly his own. Here are five pieces that are poised to characterize this new era of Dior.

      La Cigale

      (Image credit: Launchmetrics) On his personal Instagram account, Anderson posted a picture of a striking red purse with folded leather flaps that come together like an envelope, tied with a pierced ribbon bow. He captioned it, "Cigale bag by Dior," referencing his all-time favorite dress by Christian Dior. The dress mentioned is from the fall 1952 collection and was described by Vogue at the time as a "masterpiece of construction and execution." The way the bag is tied in a bow, meticulously pinned, evokes the bow at the waist of the dress. Additionally, the clever design of the hardware grommet forming an "O" in the interior spelling of "Dior" showcases Anderson’s quirky signature. With fashion lovers' penchant for references and archival nods, the Cigale bag is bound to become a sensation. All the coquette enthusiasts now have a more refined and grown-up way to showcase their bows.

      A Popcorn Scrunched Purse

      (Image credit: Launchmetrics) The bag that seemed the most unlike anything Dior has previously offered features a popcorn-like texture and a distinctive fold, with models carrying it by one chain while the other hangs loosely. This design feels like the perfect attraction for Anderson's fans while also catering to the traditional Dior clientele with something new.

      The Suede Shopper

      (Image credit: Launchmetrics) Bags are literally larger than ever, pushing mini bags to feel like a trend of the past. Anderson’s latest offering will be a suede hobo shopper with a deep slouch and metal hardware spelling out "Dior" in an archival font commonly seen in earlier Dior collections. This design harks back to John Galliano's approach to accessorizing during his tenure at the house.

      A Soft Lady Dior

      (Image credit: Launchmetrics) There was much excitement surrounding how Anderson would revamp the Lady Dior bag, and it seems he aims to provide more textural and elongated variations. On the runway, the Lady Dior was presented in a horizontal silhouette with hardware suspended from a grommet.

      The Bow Bag

      (Image credit: Launchmetrics) Lastly, we have the bow bag, a metal clutch featuring a bow as the closure and adorned with a textured straw netting. It’s both elegant and playful, seamlessly combining silver with a weaving technique that isn’t commonly seen. It appears that Anderson’s Dior bags will explore textures in innovative ways while remaining timeless.