Image via Dior
The ‘Air Dior’ Capsule Collection
Arguably one of the most talked-about release of the year, Dior released their own special website strictly for these sneakers and ready-to-wear streetwear, which have been named the Air Dior Capsule Collection. With a delicate grey-palette colourway defining the overall look of both the sneakers and some pieces of the attire, the hyped collection brings together the visual aesthetics of both brands, subtly combining them as one.
Image via Dior
The 1980-American sportswear gives a nod to the basketball legend, Michael Jordan, while the gentle grey pays homage to the high-fashion brand’s signature shade. Keeping things minimal, all the while classy and beautiful like Dior, each piece of the collection contains the modified Wings logo, now written as Air Dior. This altered insignia can be seen across the clothes, from the shorts, blazers, and bomber jackets. The Air Dior Collection is definitely a fan favourite, with both shoes retailing at around $2000 USD and stated to be coming out, individually numbered, with a total of 8,500 pairs only available.
The Designer Behind Dior
Born in London, England, Kim Niklas Jones has been working in menswear since graduating from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 2002. After creating his own brand the year after, he collaborated with multiple high-end brands from Hugo Boss to Umbro, building his name within the industry.
It wasn’t until 2008, he was then appointed as the Creative Director for luxury goods brand Alfred Dunhill. Three years after that and several contributions later, he became the Style Director of the ready-to-wear division of Louis Vuitton.
Image via Dior
Ten years into the position, Jones eventually left LV and had become the Creative Director for Dior Homme. With a long history of collaborations and work for clients like David Beckham and K-Pop group BTS, Kim Jones is a highly, well-respected name in the fashion industry, with his designs adored by many. In a statement on his recent collaboration for the Air Dior collection, Jones stated,
“I love mixing together different worlds, different ideas – Jordan Brand and Dior are both emblematic of absolute excellence in their fields. To bring them together in this special collaboration is to propose something exciting and truly new.”
The New Era of Luxury Fashion
From Kanye West to Virgil Abloh, there have been countless figures in the fashion industry that have helped shape the course of streetwear, bringing together the culture with couture. It would be an understatement to say that streetwear has evolved quite a lot since decades ago.
With popular brands like Supreme and the sneaker resell market worth billions, the exclusivity of streetwear has tumbled the entire business model of the fashion industry. Social media has also played a large part in this global spread. Things are no longer the same as they were a few years back. Hoodies, graphic T-shirts, and sneakers have taken over fashion entirely, and as that movement continues on, pieces like the Air Dior Collection will serve as further evidence that there is no distinction between luxury fashion and streetwear. They are one and the same. The only question that remains now is, what’s next?