History of The Dior Sneakers: Luxury Steps in a New Direction
Christian Dior introduced a "new look" for fashion upon his 1947 collection release, embracing full forms of structured designs for women's dresses that brought lavishness back to style following World War II.
Before entering the world of fashion, Dior ran a French art gallery. He turned to style as his main interest and worked for other designers before striking out on his own in 1946. He launched his first collection in 1947 from his Paris fashion house in 1947, focusing on women's designs. The following year, his creations grew, with a New York City store opening on Fifth Avenue. By 1953, Dior had enlisted designer Roger Vivier's help to create a line of women's shoes, and a young Yves Saint Laurent joined him in 1955. When Dior died of a heart attack at the age of 52, a line of artists and designers took over the fashion label.
Dior's place in sneaker culture has advanced significantly since the late 2010s. While Dior had shoe creations, such as the B17 or the older Sweat, it was the design hand of Kim Jones that helped put Dior on the collectible sneaker map. Styles like the B23 in 2019 gave the brand a mix of styles that highlighted Dior's luxury status.
Of course, nothing has proven as popular as the 2020 Dior Air Jordan 1 collaboration, the brand's first foray into an athletic crossover. The sneakers were available in low-top (CN8608-002) and high-top (CN8607-002) versions, both showing off the iconic Dior monogram on the Swoosh. The partnership emphasized the luxury of one of the most famed sneaker styles of all time and drove renewed interest in the entire Dior sneaker catalog.
Dior's Most Sought-After Styles
Dior has taken cues from athletic culture to drive the luxury brand's signature sneaker designs. From the B23 to the Air Jordan 1 collaboration, Dior hasn't shied away from mixing in low and high-top designs full of classic basketball touches. But it all comes at a price, with Dior sneakers typically averaging over $1,000.
- The Dior B23 is offered in both high-top and low-top versions, with a mixture of nylon on the upper and rubber detailing on the outsole. The most popular models feature the Dior label across the upper. The B23 can be found in a variety of patterns and colorways.
- For fans looking for something a little more robust, the Dior B24 Runtek design offers a hiking influence. This modern silhouette shows the versatility of the Dior designs.
- For a classic running-inspired design, the Dior CD1 — most popular in a mix of tie-dye colors — features various leather and mesh overlays.
- Collectors looking for a simple white sneaker gravitate toward the Dior B01 and the B27, representing classic design.
- The B22 introduces a chunkier outsole and a merging of mesh and technical fabrics, such as leather, neoprene and rubber on the upper.
Dior in Popular Culture
The reach of Dior in culture has been long and varied. From the late 1940s onward, the who's who of celebrity culture has been seen sporting Dior.
More recent days show a continuation of the popularity in pop culture, adorning a lineup of famous feet, including Charlize Theron, Sharon Stone, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Jennifer Lawrence, Johnny Depp and Rihanna.
Key Dior Collaborations
Jordan and Stussy are the two most talked-about collaborations from the Dior fashion house. The Dior Air Jordan 1 put the luxury brand into the rarefied air of Jordan in 2020, at the height of the modern craze. But it's the collaboration with Shawn Stussy on various Dior models that's proven a top choice among collectors. And another pairing with New York artist Daniel Arsham brought the Dior brand back to its artistic roots.
Dior Sneakers: Collectibility and Value
Look no further than the collaboration between Dior and Jordan Brand on the 2020 Air Jordan 1 for the most valuable Dior sneaker products. High and low-top versions of the famed shoe were offered in Wolf Grey with the Nike Swoosh prominent on the original Air Jordan 1, but with a Dior oblique logo for Jordan's introduction to luxury design.
The Dior Air Jordan 1 OG High is the most sought-after, topping $10,000 on the resale market. The low version is slightly more attainable but still a collectible favorite, valued at close to $8,000. From there, expect any of the collaborations between Dior and Shawn Stussy to fetch over $1,500. The B22 and B23 are also popular on the resale market, often selling for over $1,000.
