A-listers watch on as Anderson unveils Dior womenswear debut

Famous faces watched on as Northern Ireland-born fashion designer Jonathan Anderson unveiled his first women's ready-to-wear Dior collection during Paris Fashion Week.

Actors Johnny Depp and Jennifer Lawrence, France's first lady Brigitte Macron and K-Pop singers Jimin and Jisoo were among the celebrities in the audience for the highly-anticipated show on Wednesday.

Anderson, who his from Magherafelt, County Londonderry, was announced earlier this year as the first designer to lead both the women's and men's lines at the world-renowned brand.

He is known for his innovative styles, having previously designed outfits for the likes of Rihanna and Ariana Grande.

In a statement, Dior suggested the collection would be an ode to past designs.

"Daring to enter the house of Dior requires an empathy with its history a willingness to decode its language, which is part of the collective imagination, and the resoluteness to put all of it in a box," the brand said.

"Not to erase it, but to store it, looking ahead, coming back to bits, traces or entire silhouettes from time to time, like revisiting memories."

The brand added "the feeling behind the vision" of the show was to be "one of harmony and tension".

In early reviews, Anderson's womenswear debut has been warmly received by the fashion press.

On its website, Vogue Magazine said Anderson had unlocked a "daring new Dior".

The Independent said the collection "managed to feel simultaneously romantic, rebellious and refreshingly wearable" with Anderson giving Dior a "shot of youthful energy" without losing sight of the brand's DNA.

"At Dior, [Anderson] inherits not just a brand but a cultural institution. His debut suggested he's up for the challenge," they added.

Jen Kelly said the fashion world is cut-throat, and it will be fascinating to see how Anderson's work is received.

"You can be the cream of the crop one day and cold porridge the next - gone in a whim if you don't live up to expectations," he said.

He said that it is fantastic to see someone from Northern Ireland and indeed the whole island of Ireland reach such glittering heights.

"It shows once again that this place, despite its small size, really does pack a big punch," he said.

"Jonathan Anderson is vastly experienced, having established his own label and led Loewe, so I have no doubt he and his world-class team are more than ready."

In January, British designer Kim Jones stepped down as artistic director for Dior's menswear.

Anderson's move to Dior was part of a major reshuffling of jobs at global fashion brands following some resignations and forced departures.

Before joining Dior, the 41-year-old spent 11 years as creative director of the Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe.

Following his debut Dior menswear collection in June, Anderson's womenswear premiere is one of the most highly anticipated shows this spring/summer 2026 season.

Anderson trained at the London College of Fashion, before beginning his career in Prada's marketing department.

He launched his eponymous brand JW Anderson in 2008, before being appointed as the creative director at Loewe - a Spanish leather goods brand founded in 1846 - in 2013.

In 2023, he crafted Rihanna's Super Bowl half-time performance outfit, which she used to announce her pregnancy and Ariana Grande's 2024 Met Gala gown.

One of his designs, a colourful patchwork crochet cardigan worn by singer Harry Styles, which inspired a viral TikTok trend amongst fans during the Covid-19 pandemic, was added to London's Victoria and Albert Museum fashion collection earlier this year.

Anderson has won a number of high-profile awards, including Designer of the Year at the 2024 Fashion Awards in December for the second year in a row.

He is also the son of former Ireland rugby captain, Willie Anderson.