Christian Dior Shoes

At this juncture, I don’t think it will strike anyone as surprising to call Bill Gaytten’s collections for Dior “safe.” After all, just look at Dior Fall 2012, specifically its shoes: What’s more unoffensive than a literal take on ballerina chic? While the critics among as might use words like “safe” and “unoffensive” as backhanded insults, though, those descriptors often turn into profits when a brand has a customer base as dedicated as Dior’s. These shoes may not be thought-provoking, but for a certain woman, they’re very wearable.

Which is not to say that they’re comfortable-looking; on the contrary, they look like Dior’s shoemakers are attempting to get the wearer as close to en pointe as possible. These designs have a classic style, though, and in the luxurious neutrals that we saw on the runway, they’ll undoubtedly sell well to people who aren’t particularly interested in the behind-the-scenes business machinations of the fashion industry. Luckily for Dior, that’s a sizable group of people.

Continue reading →

When I say “pedestrian,” I mean it in both literally and figuratively. So far, the most covetable Dior Resort 2012 shoes are the ones with low wedges or flat heels; you could walk all day on them while on vacation, a nod to the inspiration of the season. But they also look like the work of a brand with a different price point than that normally associated with the storied French design house.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see these shoes retailing for $250 to $400, which is a problem for a brand that certainly plans to charge a much higher price. But when some of these flat sandals get marked down, I’ll be at Saks, ready and waiting. A few more pictures after the jump.

Continue reading →

Dior Tahiti Platform Pumps, $1550 via Nordstrom.

We all know the disaster that beset Dior when John Galliano decided to be a drunken racist a few months back, and it’s unfortunate that his bad behavior has overshadowed the retail debut of one of his finest collections in recent memory. Whether or not I’m willing to buy any of his work is a bit of a secondary issue at this point; from an aesthetic perspective, I’m head over heels for the Dior Tahiti Platform Pumps and the rest of the over-the-top, kitschy-cool accessories from Dior Spring 2011.

Continue reading →

As I mentioned today over at PurseBlog, the task of reviewing Dior Fall 2011 seems rather precarious, in light of the house’s recent turmoil and John Galliano’s very public and very offensive meltdown. But shoe lovers know that a brand’s footwear and accessories are often largely the product of a group of people who toil in obscurity (and for far more modest remuneration than the Gallianos of the world, it must be mentioned), and their work for fall deserves the same eye that we would have given it if the whole Dior debacle hadn’t happened.

And in this case, the results are almost uniformly positive. Dior’s footwear designers decided to spur the trend toward thicker heels and lower platforms to create a collection full of utterly luxurious, crocodile-trimmed over-the-knee boots and pale platform sandals befitting a very chic bride. The lace-up booties that fell somewhere in the middle will probably be the collection’s most successful retail category, but I preferred the offerings at either end of the spectrum.

Continue reading →

Spring 2011 collections saw some truly fantastic shoes (I’m looking at you, Prada), but of all of them, I loved the Dior Spring 2011 footwear the most. We’ve already had a chance to see many of the collection’s pieces in action on the runway, but still close-ups are always a great way to appreciate the fine detail, particularly when dealing with shoes this intricate.

The best of these styles are not what you’d call everyday wearable, but they are certainly a lush, vibrant, campy sight to behold. And really, that’s how I’d like to look back on this or any year – as something fantastical and alive instead of just another run-of-the-mill black pump.

Continue reading →

Over the past few seasons, the best of Jimmy Choo’s offerings have often been intricately strappy sandal-booties of various textures and materials. Often, those shoes were also black. If you had shown me a picture of the Dior Temptation Booties without any kind of identifying text to go with it, I would have absolutely assumed that they were a Choo product, and I would have felt confident in my assumption.

It would be inaccurate to refer to Dior as the new guy in shoe town, but this design and the rest of Cruise and Spring 2011 mark a bit of a return to form for Dior as a footwear leader. These shoes don’t reinvent the wheel, of course, but they do what they do very well.

Continue reading →

Just when I dared to wonder whether or not John Galliano had lost his way just a bit at Christian Dior, he came through with a breathtaking Fall 2010 Haute Couture collection and now, even more to my delight, amazing shoes and bags for Christian Dior Spring 2011. If only every designer had the ability to respond in such a striking, creative way after losing a bit of momentum.

I’m not sure how else to describe these shoes other than wall-to-wall, brightly colored perfection. Shrinking violets and those who shy away from mixing bold colors need not apply, just as we’ve seen all over the runways of Milan and Paris. What these shoes manage to do, though, is take that idea to the next level – not only are they a mishmash of bright colors, but of textures, prints and materials. That they all manage to work so cohesively within the sailors-and-island-girls theme is nothing short of very impressive. Just when I thought Prada might have the prize for Spring 2011′s best shoes all wrapped up, Dior makes a bold claim for the title.

Continue reading →

Under John Gallianio, the Dior label has never been a slavish follower of trends. Season after season, the collections the brand’s New Look glory days and sophisticated, discerning female clientele are referenced and appeased in some way or another, no matter what might be happening in fashion at large. In many ways, it’s admirable that Galliano keeps the true spirit of the luxury house alive while still updating it (although not as much as some would prefer) for a new generation of customers.

Of the major labels, Dior is one of the only ones (save for perhaps Valentino) who would be producing the Dior Libertine Peep-Toe Sandal right now, while the rest of footwear is tending toward masculine workboots and thick heels. Dior knows its audience, and the people who patronize the brand will certainly adore this shoe.

Continue reading →

I tend to rag on Dior handbags over at PurseBlog, but occasionally John Galliano has something so stunning up his sleeve that I can’t even think of something negative to say. The brand’s recent couture show was one such instance, and the Christian Dior Cavaliere Boots are yet another.

Continue reading →