“We Must Be Waiting for Rihanna”: A Dispatch From Jonathan Anderson’s Star-Studded Dior Debut

FRIDAY 2:30 PM JUNE 27, 2025 PARIS

Today, Paris buzzed with excitement for new blood at fashion week’s heaviest hitter. At a space-age pop-up in Les Invalides, Jonathan Anderson presented his highly-anticipated debut as creative director of Dior at their SS26 mens show. A packed-out front row, in typical JW style, watched on as models donned practical denim and cargo staples fancified with New Look and dandy details (think cravats and hip pads). Our editor-in-chief Mel Ottenberg grabbed Rihanna, Drew Starkey, Carine Roitfeld, Stephen Jones, and Will Welch for their thoughts on Dior’s new era.

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MEL OTTENBERG: Hey Will Welch, where are we? 

WILL WELCH: We are at Jonathan [Anderson]’s debut at Dior.

OTTENBERG: Pretty intense, right? 

WELCH: Yeah. There’s this gray softbox glow going on. I’m really interested in gray as luxury. 

OTTENBERG: Okay.

WELCH: Like, Demna did it in a really hardcore, really gray way, and Dior has always had a lot of gray.

OTTENBERG: Wait, actually you’re right. Look at these gray walls. We’re in a 2001 Space Odyssey Dior runway—

WELCH: A popped up box. A temporary space. 

OTTENBERG: But all the walls are actually hand-painted to be aged 50 years, now that I’m looking at it.

WELCH: There are some paintings borrowed from the Louvre.

OTTENBERG: Really?

WELCH: That’s what Juergen [Teller] said. I assume he’s informed.

OTTENBERG: We were just saying that all the designers are here, everybody, and that’s hot.

WELCH: Not just the LVMH people. The Kering folks, the indies, the Japanese designers. 

OTTENBERG: Like, look at those three. I’m not going to name them, but they’re sitting in a row and two of them are talking and the other one’s really bugging out. 

WELCH: [Laughs] Yeah.

OTTENBERG: I’m looking away so they don’t see me talking about them. Lakeith Stanfield is hot.

WELCH: And he’s sitting next to Rob Pattinson.

OTTENBERG: Yeah, they look great. Look at Daniel Craig, man.

WELCH: He’s still got the hair.

OTTENBERG: Look at his hair. Are you on hair pills?

WELCH: I’m not on hair pills.

OTTENBERG: Really? Your hair is beautiful. I’ve been on finasteride since I was like 32. We met at a hair salon. Do you still go to Losi?

WELCH: I go to Losi’s next-door neighbor, Victor. Losi does editorial, so she’s gone a lot and as you know, sometimes when you need a haircut it’s an emergency. Victor just likes to be at the salon cutting hair, so it’s practical, but also the fine art of men’s hair.

OTTENBERG: On the record, men should really be aware of barbers these days. The buzz to the side of the head and longer on top, you can’t do that. You need a scissor. 

WELCH: You need somebody who’s thinking bigger. Thinking outside the chop shop.

OTTENBERG: Thank you for talking with me about this, I’m passionate about it. Is Rihanna here? Oh, there’s Rihanna. I kept thinking we must be waiting for Rihanna. [Laughs]

WELCH: If Rihanna’s in the building, it’s really good to be seated next to Mel, because that means you might get a knowing glance. 

OTTENBERG: Yeah, we might. [Laughs] She looks beautiful. 

WELCH: Ooh, Rocky’s got the tie tied like Basquiat, with the tie going over one of the collars.

OTTENBERG: Oh, yeah. They look great. Mom and dad.

OTTENBERG: Say it again.

CARINE ROITFELD: This look was perfect for you.

OTTENBERG: The denim look.

ROITFELD: Denim, with the tie. I think it’s perfect. We’ll go shopping together.

OTTENBERG: Okay. Thank you, Carine. What do you think of that look for me?

ROITFELD: I think it’s a new beginning for you. A tie and jeans. It’s full ‘60s.

OTTENBERG: Okay, so you’re thinking I’m becoming a Dior client, possibly?

ROITFELD: Of course.

OTTENBERG: Oh wow. Never happened, but—

ROITFELD: You can’t wear that one.

OTTENBERG: It’s cool for somebody else.

ROITFELD: I love the leather and jeans for you.

OTTENBERG: Hey Rihanna, what did you think of the show? 

RIHANNA: I love it. I think it was a very smart show, very commercial. I could see all the pieces together and all the pieces individually. I think all of them could be mixed and matched to make new ideas. And the styling was phenomenal. 

OTTENBERG: Phenomenal. 

RIHANNA: My favorite styling of a Dior show in a while. 

OTTENBERG: Fab. Thanks babe, I love you.

OTTENBERG: Stephen, we met on a Dior job 18 years ago. What’s new with hats at Dior? 

STEPHEN JONES: There’s going to be lots of hats. There weren’t any hats in this show, but Jean-Michel was not a great hat wearer, even though he wore some of my hats. He was one of my earliest clients, way back when. 

OTTENBERG: Wow, wow, wow.

JONES: But this show was incredible. What I loved was all the Dior silhouette skirts in washed denim. That was completely genius.

OTTENBERG: Oh, were those the ones that turn into shorts? 

JONES: Yes, they turn into shorts and have a square front. 

OTTENBERG: Tell me about that. 

JONES: They are exactly the silhouette of Dior ball gowns, the most famous ballgowns that Dior did, but they’re actually made into shorts in washed denim. It’s so good. 

OTTENBERG: Cool. Love you, good to see you. 

OTTENBERG: Drew, what you got for me?

DREW STARKEY: I absolutely loved it. 

OTTENBERG: Do you want a water? 

STARKEY: Yeah I’ll take a water. 

OTTENBERG: May I have one as well? Thanks. 

STARKEY:One of my favorite pieces was the flare jeans with that purple, almost violet and red threading. Something about the colors. It was a beautiful mix. You’d see these classic trench coats, and then all of a sudden you’re hit in the face with this neon green and orange. I loved it. Loved the knitwear. I want every one of those ties. It was incredible.

OTTENBERG: This man just understands me. Can we take a picture now?