When Simon Holloway took the reins as creative director of Dunhill last year, he also became keeper to the brand’s rich 130-year legacy. Originally designed to outfit early motorists in the late 19th century, the house is today an icon of British classicism and craftsmanship from refined leather goods to Dunhill’s classic navy blazer that was once the brand’s hallmark item. Over the years, its star-studded list of patrons has included the likes of Frank Sinatra, Truman Capote and the Duke of Windsor.
Following a four-year hiatus, Dunhill, which is owned by Richemont, returned to the London Fashion Week stage in February with an intimate 41-look Fall/Winter 2024 show set in the Duveen Wing of London’s recently renovated National Portrait Gallery. As Holloway tells The Hollywood Reporter, the intention for his debut show was to showcase his vision for the brand: telling a story of timeless heritage in a modern context.
“We made it more like a salon as opposed to a big, glossy runway show because it really fit well with this house,” Holloway says during an interview at Los Angeles’ Chateau Marmont. “We wanted people to feel quite immersed and quite close to the clothes. The casting reflected that too. It was very multi-ethnic, with different age groups and older guys that you haven’t seen for a while on the runway — just bring a sense of character into the presentation as well.” The Fall Winter 2024 presentation drew such celebs as Ted Lasso‘s Phil Dunster, model-actor Hu Bing and Shadow and Bone star Archie Renaux.
