Everything
The waitlist for the highly-anticipated Air Jordan 1 OG Dior sneakers was into the millions as sneaker heads and luxury collectors looked to cop the collaborative capsule. Launching yesterday in Australian boutiques, a line staked out in the rain, snaked down the luxury shopping strip in Sydney and revealed just how popular the partnership is. Sitting behind a glass box on the shelves of Dior, the detail and craftsmanship of such sneaker is made apparent.
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Made in Italy and edge-painted by hand, the cult silhouette pays tribute to Dior’s excellence and savoir-faire in leather goods while drawing inspiration from the Jumpman’s rich heritage. It was inevitable that Dior Men’s Director Kim Jones would join up with the sporting giant, particularly after his love affair of the Jordan brand from a young age. In a behind-the-scenes video into the making of the collaboration, the designer gives viewers insight into his own collection which ultimately inspired the newly-released collection, many sneakers of which are highly rare nowadays.
Joining with Dior Men’s lead footwear designer Thibo Denis and Jordan Brand VP of Design Martin Lotti, the trio take a deep dive into the design process and meticulous creation of the shoe, with materials they have “never used before”. As you would expect from a luxury product, each detail is hand stitched, sewn and painted and this is no different – even the lining under the sock is marked with the Dior oblique.
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But as Kim Jones states, a single release of the Air Jordan 1 High would not suffice, rather, an entire capsule was more fitting to truly pay homage to Michael Jordan. Accompanying the sneaker is a series of sporty silhouettes, inspired by the off-duty style of Michael Jordan. Steering away from the classic suit cut Dior is known for, a sleek blazer is created with a slightly oversized feel and more broad shoulders. The baggy basketball short is reimagined into a preppy, tailored short, while basic kit essentials are adorned with the Air Dior co-branding, expertly embroidered in two directions which gives the finish are subtle sheen.
“I like the fact that we’re doing something that’s extremely unexpected in terms of clothing,” Jones says. “This collection is very sophisticated and modern and we used only luxurious fabrics such as silk and cashmere. This new capsule transcends sportswear in an unexpected way through the art of tailoring, the highest savoir-faire and perfectly reflecting the Dior codes.”
To look closer into the creation of the Air Dior capsule, tune into the documentary below.
