‘Cabochons’: One of Dior Summer 2024’s most outstanding techniques

Kim Jones’ latest collection for Dior left no one indifferent. Therefore, and paying tribute to the Maison’s savoir-faire, we analyse one of the techniques used in the collection that most caught our attention: the Cabochons.

‘Cabochon’ is the name given to a type of polished gemstone or stone whose rounded shape resembles the top of a skull and which usually has a convex point on a flat base. The same name is applied to Dior‘s technique of adding embroidered gemstones to designs, a savoir-faire first employed in 1948 on a Byzantine-style jacket, which Kim Jones revives this season while paying homage to the history of the house.

Thus, the cabochons are applied to the garments in a cascading fashion, being added in greater quantity in the upper part of the garment and becoming more and more spaced out as the central part of the piece is approached. Finally, the amount of gemstones is again intensified in the lower sections to give a sense of movement and rhythm. Each and every gemstone is set by hand in a painstakingly handcrafted process.

In Dior‘s Summer 2024 collection, this delicate and precious savoir-faire can be seen in many of the garments, such as knitted cardigans, updated polo shirts, pinstripe shirts and even leather loafers. Most of the cabochons feature floral motifs that elevate the designs while adding joy and delicacy.