Nature Refined

Tatler Homes speaks with designer Sam Baron on reimagining Dior Maison’s heritage through a poetic celebration of nature and craftsmanship

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What first sparked the idea for Ode à la Nature, and how did your creative dialogue with Dior Maison unfold from there?

I have always been a nature lover. Growing up in the countryside, nature has been an intrinsic part of my life. In a way, this connection made me feel comfortable and allowed me to deeply admire Monsieur Dior’s work.

Although our practices differ—he in fashion, and I in design—we share a common love of art. Monsieur Dior began as an art gallerist before becoming a fashion designer, while I find inspiration by losing myself in museums to relax and recharge.

Nature has consistently been a vital source of inspiration for humanity. From the Middle Ages to today, we have always turned to our environments for guidance and creativity. Botanical motifs were among the first patterns to appear across cultures, linking us all in a timeless dialogue with nature.

The duck-shaped carafe feels both playful and rooted in history. How did you come across this motif in the Dior archives?

While researching Dior’s legacy and past creations, I was invited to spend several hours in the Dior archives department, reviewing everything that Monsieur Dior had produced for his lifestyle collections. As the project I envisioned for Dior Maison centred around nature, I initially focused on plants and flowers.

However, at a certain moment, a photograph of two glass wild ducks was shown to me. They were incredibly expressive, almost as if they were looking back at me. It made me realise that nature is not only botanical—it also embraces the animal world. I decided to introduce an animal element hidden among the botanical-inspired pieces—something that would catch the viewer's eye and, quite naturally, bring a smile to their face.