Dior's cats and pet dogs: Kim Jones unleashes a star-studded, art-inspired Paris collection

By THOMAS ADAMSON

Fashion Writer

PARIS-- Kim Jones' stellar collection for Dior was the fruit of an encounter with ceramicist Hylton Nel, whose pottery and ceramics, including animal concepts, gave the spring collection for the Parisian powerhouse a fun, arty-- and domesticated lift. Dior's runway decoration, inside the opulent premises of the Left Bank's grand 17th century Val-de-Grace, was really tongue-in-cheek. It included sculptures portraying ceramic reclining naked felines and cheeky dogs, inspired by Nel and the Dior designer's own collection of ornaments, praised by stars such as Robert Pattinson, Kate Moss and Pharrell Williams Known for his cultural and historical inspirations, Jones brought Nel's whimsical ceramics to life.