The Dior Book Cover Collection Lets Literature Step Off the Shelf

Taking a beloved model like the Book Tote and giving it new meaning is one of Jonathan's boldest moves to date. He took the casual silhouette of the bag, stripped it of its usual trompe-l'œil patterns, and turned them into, well, books. The recognizable covers of 19th- and 20th-century titles such as Bram Stoker's Dracula and Les Liaisons Dangereuses are used to give the tote its own identity—one that quite literally carries a new story. Each design is finely embroidered onto the canvas bodies, which are available in three different sizes.

The Dracula line, in particular, has garnered attention for its stark color contrasts and instantly recognizable reference. In his research, Jonathan discovered that Bram Stoker was actually Irish, making the namesake vampire a part of the designer’s heritage in a way.

"Dracula became one of the most iconic stories of the 20th century, and his Irishness is often overlooked. The novel has been interpreted as Stoker’s play on late-Victorian fears of immigration—mostly from Eastern Europe at the time—which goes to show how history repeats itself," Jonathan said. The story of immigration, he adds, is universal and perpetually relevant, making it a key reference for pieces that explore literary greatness.

The Book Cover collection references a curated selection of novels, ranging from epics to melodramas. What’s more, the design isn’t limited to the Book Tote—it also appears on the Saddle bag, a hoodie, and even a twilly. As mentioned, the Dracula line remains the most eye-catching and popular.

Les Liaisons dangereuses by 18th-century author Pierre Choderlos de Laclos is presented in soft, easy-on-the-eyes pastel pinks and greens.

Other literary works stocked in the Dior library include Madame Bovary, Bonjour Tristesse, and Les Fleurs du Mal, all of which explore different facets of humanity—our quirks, desires, and temptations. But if you haven’t caught up on any of the titles, perhaps their striking colorways can guide your choice.

Perhaps one of the collection’s most important texts is the one it authored itself. The Dior by Dior design is a tongue-in-cheek nod to the maison’s roots, inspired by a book written by Christian Dior himself. It doesn’t get more referential than that, does it?

Some of the region's most sartorially discerning have signed up, so to speak, as book club members of Jonathan’s new Dior.

House friends Apo Nattawin and Mile Phakphum use the bag to either add a pop of color or keep their looks monochromatic. Their fellow Thai star Off Jumpol couldn’t resist the bright red-and-yellow combo of his Dracula tote. Meanwhile, global brand ambassador Mingyu kept things understated with his Les Fleurs du Mal.

Of course, the ladies weren’t skipping out on such a cerebral collection, either. Orm Kornnaphat has placed dibs on two varying styles, while her on-screen partner Lingling Kwong stuck to the most classic title of all. No one knows like Dior like Dior!