Kim Jones taps Ghanaian artist Amoako Boafo for his latest art-inspired collection for Dior

Read time 4 minutes

Courtesy of Dior.

Art and fashion collide to spark cultural dialogue. Kim Jones and Amoako Boafo redefine the boundaries of creative collaboration.

Kim Jones, the artistic visionary behind Dior Men, has established himself as a pioneer in modern menswear since assuming the role of artistic director in 2018. Known for orchestrating breathtaking runway spectacles, Jones has built his reputation by seamlessly blending the rich heritage of Dior with his own innovative vision. His shows have consistently captured the attention of the fashion world, offering a masterful mix of traditional tailoring, contemporary aesthetics, and global influences.

The summer of 2020, however, presented a challenge unlike any other. With the global pandemic bringing the fashion industry to a halt, Jones had to rethink how to create and share his vision. This led to his groundbreaking collaboration with Amoako Boafo, a 36-year-old Ghanaian artist celebrated for his finger-painted portraits that vividly portray Black subjects. Boafo’s works, which explore identity and culture with a striking visual language, have earned him international acclaim and a reputation as one of the most exciting contemporary artists of his generation.

The partnership between Jones and Boafo was born out of a shared admiration for each other’s work and a mutual desire to push creative boundaries. Jones was introduced to Boafo’s art during Art Basel in Miami by the renowned gallerist Mera Rubell. The moment he saw Boafo’s large-scale, vividly colored portraits, he was captivated. “It was an instant connection,” Jones recalls. “I knew right away that we could create something extraordinary together, combining art and fashion in a way that hadn’t been done before.”

Courtesy of Dior.

The result of their collaboration is a capsule collection that represents a true meeting of minds. Jones worked closely with Boafo to translate the artist’s bold visual style into wearable art, integrating his distinctive motifs into Dior’s designs. The collection is a vibrant celebration of color, pattern, and craftsmanship, with pieces that include striking shirts, jackets, and accessories featuring Boafo’s signature finger-painted imagery.

One of the standout looks in the collection features a green beret and an ivy-print shirt inspired by one of Boafo’s most iconic portraits. This design also pays homage to Christian Dior himself, who frequently used ivy as a symbol in his work. Jones’s ability to weave historical references into contemporary designs is on full display in this collection, which feels both timeless and cutting-edge.

While the collection is smaller in scope than Dior Men’s usual offerings, its impact is no less significant. Working remotely from his home in Notting Hill, Jones collaborated with Dior’s ateliers in France to bring the collection to life. This process, though challenging, allowed for a deeper focus on storytelling and craftsmanship.

Courtesy of Dior

Instead of a traditional runway show, the collection was unveiled through a lookbook and a documentary film. These mediums provided an intimate glimpse into the creative process, showcasing Boafo’s studio in Accra and Jones’s workspace in London. The film also highlighted the unique dynamic between the artist and designer, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their collaboration.

For Jones, this project was about more than just fashion. “This collaboration is a way to tell a story,” he explains. “It’s about celebrating the richness of African art and the incredible talent that exists there while also finding new ways to connect with audiences.”

Boafo, too, found the experience deeply rewarding. Seeing his art reimagined through the lens of high fashion was a transformative experience. “Fashion has a way of reaching people that art galleries sometimes can’t,” he says. “It was amazing to see my work take on a new life in this context.”

“Art and fashion are universal languages. When they come together, they create something extraordinary that transcends boundaries.” – Amoako Boafo

The collaboration also sparked a larger initiative aimed at supporting young artists in Ghana. Jones and Boafo announced plans to create a building in Accra that will serve as a studio, a residence, and an artist-run gallery. This space will provide emerging artists with the resources and opportunities they need to develop their craft and share their work with the world.

“Creating opportunities for the next generation of artists is something I’m deeply passionate about,” Jones shares. “This project is a way to give back and to ensure that the incredible talent in Ghana and beyond gets the recognition it deserves.”

For Jones, this initiative is also deeply personal. Growing up as the son of a hydrogeologist, he spent much of his childhood in Africa, living in Ethiopia, Botswana, and other countries across the continent. These formative experiences instilled in him a lifelong connection to Africa and a deep appreciation for its diverse cultures and traditions.

Courtesy of Dior.

This collaboration with Boafo, whose home country of Ghana was a favorite destination of Jones’s father, serves as a poignant tribute to his late parent. “My father introduced me to Africa and the world,” Jones reflects. “This project is a way to honor his memory and the values he taught me.”

The collection is not only a celebration of African art but also a call to action. By using Dior’s platform to highlight Boafo’s work and to launch a project that supports young artists, Jones is demonstrating the power of fashion to drive meaningful change.

For Boafo, the collaboration is a testament to the universality of art and its ability to bridge cultures. “Art and fashion speak a language that everyone can understand,” he says. “When we come together, we create something that transcends borders and resonates with people everywhere.”

Courtesy of Dior.

The collection has been widely praised by critics and audiences alike. Its bold designs, rich storytelling, and cultural significance have set a new standard for what fashion can achieve. More than just clothing, this collection represents a dialogue between two creative worlds and a celebration of shared humanity.

As Jones and Boafo continue to break new ground in their respective fields, their collaboration serves as a reminder of the transformative power of creativity. By bringing together their unique perspectives, they have created something truly extraordinary—an inspiring vision of what the future of fashion and art can look like.

At its core, this partnership is about connection—between people, cultures, and disciplines. It’s a celebration of diversity, a tribute to the past, and a bold statement about the possibilities of the future. Through their work, Jones and Boafo have shown that when art and fashion come together, the result is nothing short of magic.

Text by
Kelly Barnes

Posted
April 2, 2020

Text by
Kelly Barnes

August 9, 2018

Amoako Boafo By & Large Dior Kim Jones Philosophy Unique Perspectives

Underlined

Discovering inspiration alongside the artist Luke James as he unveils his eagerly awaited album, “to feel love/d.”

Read time 5 minutes

Text by
Kylar Ashton

Photography by
Ben Abarbanel.

Fashion by
Guvanch Agajumayev

Posted
June 19, 2022

As the world eagerly awaits the release of his highly anticipated album, "to feel love/d," Luke James, the visionary artist known for his soulful melodies and captivating performances, invites us into his creative sanctuary.

Speaking on the new release, Luke says, “This album is a body of work that is a culmination of experiences. [it’s] music that I’ve lived with for a while. I like to think of this album as more of a bridge into my new endeavors being an independent artist.” “To feel love/d” marks Luke’s much-awaited return to his widely successful music career following a two-year hiatus to focus on his work in acting. The three singles from the album, entitled “go girl” ft. BJ The Chicago Kid and Ro James, “all of your love,” and “blow” took the music streaming platforms by force, including features on massive playlists such as Spotify’s New Music Friday, Are & Be, and rotation on Amazon’s Global R&B platform.

Lukes’ credits are as vast as they are impressive. Throughout his career, he has written songs for the likes of Justin Bieber, Snoh Aalegra, and Chris Brown, to name a few. He has also performed alongside the late Prince and is one of the very few artists to ever open for Beyoncé, during her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. Luke received his first Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance for his hit song “I Want You” (from his first mixtape “#Luke”) and received his second Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song for “Options” ft. Rick Ross (from his self-titled debut album “Luke James”).

On the television front, it was announced that Luke is set to star in the third season of the hit Showtime drama series, “The Chi.” Created by Lena Waithe, the series follows the lives of a group of people in the South Side neighborhood of Chicago after a fateful turn of events sends shock waves through the community but also connects them in unexpected ways.

Luke also recently starred in the smash hit Universal Pictures’ comedy “Little,” opposite Issa Rae, Regina Hall, and Marsai Martin and is well-known for his starring role in the musical drama series “Star” on FOX, created and helmed by Oscar-nominated director Lee Daniels. Additional acting credits for Luke include recurring arcs on HBO’s “Insecure,” USA’s “Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G.,” and his role as R&B singer Johnny Gill on BET’s “The Bobby Brown Story.” Luke recently spoke to Slick to discuss his biggest adrenaline rush, his philosophy on life, and the plans he has in store

Slick: Who is Luke James in five words?

Luke: Loving, Honorable, Nasty, Happy, Sad…. Okay, let’s see what else is there?

Slick: What’s the first thing you do in the morning?

Luke: I guess a check, diagnostic check, you know, self-diagnostics. I just feel my body, fill my mind, my spirit and I project gratitude for waking up another day. Thank you, God!

Slick: What’s your philosophy on life?

Luke: Don’t worry be happy. Yeah, not to be cliche. My mother used to always say, don’t worry. I think I’m at a place where I want to be. So yeah, don’t worry, be happy because everything’s gonna work out for sure.

Slick: What do people always misunderstand about you?

Luke: I think I’m finding that people think that I am somewhat of an extrovert, I guess. Maybe I act the part well, sometimes. I think my career kind of helps me out of my introverted ways because I want to enjoy life and all the different aspects of it and sometimes my innate ways don’t allow that pleasure. My career helps me get out. It helps me meet people. It helps me get into new ideas, you know, keeps my mind open.

“With ‘to feel love/d,’ I aim to create a sonic journey where emotions flow freely, melodies captivate, and every listener finds solace in the music.” – Luke James

Slick: What gives you the biggest adrenaline rush?

Luke: My biggest adrenaline rush, I’d say has been on the stage. It’s a rush like no other. I can come off stage and have cut myself and not even realize I did until the next day, you know, my adrenaline took over…

Slick: What do you think about when you’re by yourself?

Luke: A lot of things rather personal… I think about work, you know, in the sense of like work, as everyone else may think of work. I find pleasure in what I do so when I’m talking about work, I’m talking about my passions which happen to make me money which turns into work. It is something that I must do to continue making a living. I enjoy it so I guess to answer your question I think about creativity. I think about God, I think about love, I think about the world. I try my best to think about happy things…

Slick: What qualities do you admire about yourself?

Luke: One of the qualities I admire about myself is my really strong willpower. I am constantly reminded of my willpower. So yeah, I truly admire that about myself. If there’s something I want, truly want, I work my ass off to get it, to have it. It seems like everything around me just conform to enable me to have whatever it is I’m in search of. I’m not sitting here saying or acting like I’m a guru. I’m still figuring that thing out too.

Slick: What is the weirdest thing you would consider about yourself?

Luke: The weirdest thing about me, I don’t know. I think maybe someone else may have to say what that is. I don’t particularly find anything I do weird. I’m interesting (lol).

Slick: What are the three things you value most about a person?

Luke: A person’s empathy, the person’s intellect, and their spirituality, you know something in that realm. There are so many things fucking three is just not enough…

Slick: Tell us about any struggle you’ve overcome.

Luke: Seeing myself for who I am, acknowledging it, adhering to it, and strengthening it. Being happy with the process of becoming better, a better me. Falling in love with that process. It’s a constant. I believe it to be a struggle that just about everyone goes through.

Slick: If you could tell your former self one thing, what would it be?

Luke: Wake up early, create, create, create, stay open, be a sponge. Don’t worry. Leave negative people and things alone. Let them go. You may love them but you can love them from afar. Enjoy yourself, enjoy the moment, and don’t listen to anyone but yourself. Stay centered. There’s going to be a lot of trying things that will come your way. Be still and push forward. Everything will be alright. Yep, that’s that. I hope that all made sense.

Photography by Ben Abarbanel. Styling by Guvanch Agajumayev. Grooming by Travis Lester.Casting by Andre’ Adkins.