It’s safe to say that this has been Dior Men’s biggest collaboration yet—even more coveted than spring/summer 2020’s Dior and RIMOWA series. And it’s not exactly a surprise. Artistic director Kim Jones is pretty adept at scoring commercially successful collaborations thus far, and in a way that doesn’t veer completely out of the fashion house’s wheelhouse.
Yet, as revealed in a short documentary, this time, it’s pretty personal. Jones has been an avid collector of sneakers, and especially the Air Jordan 1s, since young. Standing in front of an impressive stash of some of his sneaker collection, Jones regales how he would share a pair of sneakers with friends in order to be able to afford one, and then wear them even if they’re not the right size. He’s even got an original 1985 pair that he found in Japan. Impressive.
Oftentimes, it’s easy to spot a forced collaboration between two brands that have no reason to exist together. But with what Jones continuously does, there seems to be a concerted thought process that goes behind every collaboration—a timely relevance, how both brands reflect similar values, and how best to bring out what both brands have to offer on the same plane. And of course, it helps that while he’s passionate about streetwear culture, he’s also got a terrific eye for design and a respect for the house that he works for.
Which brings us to the Air Dior capsule collection that serves as an accompaniment to the much hyped sneakers. There’s a clear reference point to where the inspiration for the ready-to-wear portion came from: the legendary Michael Jordan himself. With wide-cut bermudas, jersey-inspired cashmere vests, and Jordan’s penchant for off-the-courts tailoring, the Air Dior capsule collection is an interpretation of basketball tropes and Jordan’s personal style, but done in Dior Men’s couture vision. Meaning, these are incredibly well-made clothes that you’ll be able to wear beyond this fashion season; that’s the true mark of a stellar collaboration.
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