JUST THE TICKET: Jonathan Anderson’s debut at Dior was the hottest ticket in town — and that’s saying something when temps are hitting the hundred-degree mark. There was rare AC in the venue; never mind that it was installed to protect the artworks on display in the museum-like set. But either way, it benefited the audience.
Some stars have perfected the art of arriving “fashionably” late (see Beyoncé Knowles-Carter at Louis Vuitton), Rihanna and A$AP Rocky among them. Their entrance caused a commotion when the doors reopened for the couple and sent guests into a frenzy.
Robert Pattinson admitted he had a preview of the collection the day before the show.
“I’ve known Jonathan for years, so I’m really happy for him,” he said. Even though he’s been to many shows, Pattinson, a Dior brand ambassador for 14 years, expressed his excitement for the energy surrounding fashion week. “I love the entire process,” he added.
Pattinson also shared that he’ll begin shooting the next “Batman” film next year.
“The costume is iconic,” he said, though he noted it wouldn’t be making an appearance at fashion week. Instead, he praised Anderson’s new collection. Many looks were anchored with Regency-style collars, cravats and capes, alongside modern knitwear and jeans.
“It’s all super wearable, which is great and exciting,” Pattinson declared.
Mike Feist was deep in discussion with Joe Alwyn and Alison Oliver. Turning the tables during a chat with WWD, Feist grabbed the mic and played reporter, asking Oliver what she thought of the show. “I’m delighted and very warm, but I have no intention of taking this jacket off,” she said, referring to her Dior look adorned with military-style buttons.
Feist, who previously told WWD in Cannes that he’s “not a fashion guy,” kept his look casual and was there to support Anderson.
“I’m a big fan of him. We’re good friends,” he said. Currently taking a break from film to focus on writing a screenplay, Feist said that he’s preparing to return to the stage in a new play.
“I’m feeling very Sgt. Pepper,” said Drew Starkey, referencing his military-inspired jacket.
The British actor is another longtime friend of Anderson’s.
“He’s one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met — and one of my favorite people. This is well deserved,” he said.
Starkey recently wrapped “Onslaught” with Rebecca Hall and Dan Stevens but remained completely tight-lipped about the project. Instead, he revealed that he flew in for the show during a quick break from filming the next season of “Outer Banks” in South Carolina, where production will continue for seven months.
He also had a front-row reunion with his “Queer” costar Daniel Craig. Craig joked that he didn’t have anything intelligent to say about fashion but was seen chatting with Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu and Taehyun — four out of five members of Tomorrow x Together who attended the show (Heuningkai was absent). Craig asked about their recent tour, music-making and writing process before posing for photos with both the group and Pattinson.
With Anderson’s Dior debut being the hottest ticket in town, many fellow designers came out in support.
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, recently named as Anderson’s successors at Loewe, were enthusiastic about being there.
“We’re big fans of him,” Hernandez said. “We have a lot of love for him.”
The duo said they’re settling in well. “We’re having so much fun. I don’t know how else to describe it. Everything feels possible — it’s a dream.”
However, they admitted they’re still adjusting to Paris. “We’re really just between the office and home, not going out much. We’re focused on the job. September will be the big one,” Hernandez added of their upcoming debut at the other LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton-owned house.
Donatella Versace, seated front row, was there for Anderson’s big moment. “For me, I’m so emotional because I worked with Jonathan when he was very young. We did the Versus show together,” she recalled of the 2013 collection. “So, you know, I consider him like my little baby now.”
The show also brought out fashion’s best in class. Former Dior Homme artistic director Kris Van Assche, Courrèges’ Nicolas Di Felice, Silvia Venturini Fendi, Rabanne’s Julien Dossena, Jacquemus designer Simon Porte Jacquemus, newly-apponted Balenciaga creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli, Stefano Pilati, and Louis Vuitton Men’s artistic director Pharrell Williams were just a few of the many notable creatives in the crowd.