Streetwear meets luxury in the first-ever Dior x Jordan Brand collaboration. Dior Men’s Fall 2020 collection is a true artist’s universe as the French fashion house works with Jordan Brand, Shawn Stussy, and Yoon Ahn.
In 1947, Christian Dior designed an entirely new perspective on fashion and exploring new worlds grounded on youth, vitality, and the spirit of the new — a look the House of Dior dubs as a post-war renaissance. In 2019, Dior Men’s artistic director Kim Jones reflected on the visionary Monsieur Dior’s story and philosophy. Inspired by the late couturier, Jones delved deeper into this dialogue through his Fall 2020 show in Miami, Florida.
This Fall collection features a first-time collaboration between the haute couture house and none other than Jordan Brand, the line of shoes renowned and originally made for NBA star Michael Jordan and a streetwear staple everywhere. An interesting partnership has culminated out of this combination of French and American cultures where high fashion mingles with sportswear to reach that “new look”, the exploration and crossing of borders Christian Dior himself was all for. In celebration of Dior Men’s first show in the United States as well as Jordan Brand’s 35th anniversary of the classic Air Jordan silhouette, the two brands united to make the limited-edition Air Jordan 1 High OG. In a press release, Dior describes the shoe’s design as “underscoring both the timeless appeal of [the Air Jordan] itself” as well as Dior’s “emblematic style, forever born of l’air du temps, the spirit of the moment”. On top of that, echoed in the “élan” of Dior Men’s Paris Ateliers is Jordan brand’s innovation and excellence.
Air Jordan I High OG Sneakers from DIOR Men’s Fall 2020. Dior x Jordan Brand © Jackie Nickers
The collaboratively made shoe was created in Italy, “prolonging the steadfast and passionate ties that have united Dior and American culture” — fulfilling the highest quality standards of luxury products and mindfully crafted from the finest calf leather, edge-painted, and comes in the evocative Dior Grey embossed with Jordan Brand’s iconic Jumpman Wings logo and “AIR DIOR” on the upper side to dignify this partnership. The famous Dior Oblique motif is filled inside of the Nike Swoosh — literally encapsulating what this cross-cultural collaboration represents.
“Every collaboration we do starts from a genuine connection and desire to expand the dimensions of each brand through creativity and design innovation,” says Martin Lotti, Jordan Brand’s VP of Design. “Our partnership with Dior will offer a new look in basketball style and blend high-end streetwear with luxury fashion. We will pay homage to both brands’ rich iconography and draw inspiration from our heritage.”
The Fall 2020 line itself features embroidery, beading, materials, and tailoring savoir-faire, a tribute to the House’s couture and heritage. Combined with psychedelic elements, the aesthetic this collection emanates draws on a “multitude of influences”, and is mirrored in the fluid jackets in tropical wools with hand-stitched buttons — like Dior’s original Bar suit — along with a new, limited-edition metal version of the famous Saddle bag. In addition, we’re seeing French berets and bob hats like those worn by sailors designed by Dior’s milliner Stephen Jones, which are embellished in flower sprigs. Various motifs and patterns like florals, python prints, checks, and stripes also make an appearance in this collection, resulting in “unexpected harmonies”. To manifest the art deco architecture of Miami Beach, intense bright colors like hibiscus red and saffron are used in the collection.
To add to this French-American collaboration, Kim Jones also invited artist and designer Shawn Stussy in his own name to reinvent the Dior logo in a graffiti style, and also contributed to the designing of new prints, being the inspiration for this show’s setting in Miami. Similar to how elements of Jordan Brand are echoed in Dior, elements of Dior’s timeless modernity and love of art is also echoed in Stussy’s creations. This collection is truly the artist’s universe as Stussy’s vision is further interpreted in jewelry by Yoon Ahn, and is featured on a runway that is transformed into “an abstract barrel wave lit by a sunset”.
Air Jordan I High OG Sneakers from DIOR Men’s Fall 2020. Dior x Jordan Brand © Jackie Nickers
The limited-edition Air Jordan 1 High OG Dior sneaker will be available for purchase in April 2020 in selected Dior stores around the world. (Text Jordinna Joaquin)