Anselm Reyle for Christian Dior (photo via WWD.com)

Designer/artist crossbreeding is nothing new. MAC had Cindy Sherman, Louis Vuitton had Takashi Murakami, and Stella McCartney had Barry Reigate. But for the 65 year-old house of Dior, a new accessories and cosmetics collection made in collaboration with German contemporary artist Anselm Reyle may be a bold new step that will help invigorate the French label.

Though the partnership was in the works since early 2010, the initiative may help a house that’s been the subject of controversy in the past year, from its anti-Semitic head designer to a collection of clowny couture raked over the coals by critics. Having a line of shiny, shiny bags, bracelets, nail polish and eye shadow designed by the Gagosian-represented Reyle should help to erase any bad memories.

Anselm Reyle Untitled (2010) (photo via gagosian.com)

The bags marry Reyle’s aesthetic spectacularly to the expected decadent Dior feel: metallic fabric bound in a not-at-all-ripped-off-from-Chanel Cannage quilted pattern, Perspex shards hanging off the sides, and Sprouse-inspired colorful camouflage patterns. The vaguely 1980s design elements, as well as the art-cred from Reyle’s name, mark a departure from the more traditional outputs from Dior, hopefully aiding in bringing a new perspective to the brand.

The collection will debut, appropriately enough, at a pop-up shop at Miami Art Basel in early December before being available at select Dior boutiques in January.

Alexander Cavaluzzo is a Pop Poet, Cultural Critic and Sartorial Scholar. He received his BS in Art History from FIT and his MA in Arts Politics at NYU. His interests focus on the intersection of fashion,...