Why Is Dior So Expensive? The Top 4 Reasons
Christian Dior is known for beautiful and luxurious clothing and accessories, but why is Dior so expensive? We’re here to help you find out exactly what you’re paying for.
The French fashion house, Christian Dior is one of the most famous and iconic luxury brands that has been creating stunning ready-to-wear, haute couture, and accessories collections for decades.
The striking silhouettes, sumptuous fabrics, and exquisite embellishments of Dior clothing and handbags ensure Christian Dior is always a popular brand with a wide range of luxury goods available that any high fashion lover wants in their wardrobe.
This brand offers men’s, women’s, and children’s collections, as well as accessories, homewares, jewelry, and beauty products too so there is something for everyone. If you have your eye on a Dior product, you may be wondering why they have such a high price tag – that’s where we come in!
We are going to answer the question, of why is Dior so expensive, so you can find out everything you need to know before purchasing anything from Christian Dior. We will take a look at the different aspects of the brand that have an effect on the final price tag, before looking at some of the best-selling Dior pieces that are definitely worth the price and you really need in your life!
Why is Dior So Expensive?
There are many different aspects of a brand that will play into the price tag of a Dior item, so we are going to break down each of these areas so you can figure out what you are paying for the next time you buy a Dior piece
1. The History of Christian Dior
The long and rich history of the Dior brand has an effect on the price since there are not many brands that have such a rich and well-established heritage, which can add a premium to Dior luxury goods. The French fashion designer, Christian Dior founded his eponymous French fashion house in 1946 and showed his first collection in 1947.
Christian Dior found success very quickly as his first collections proved very popular as they broke convention and create a new silhouette that would come to define the 1950s. The designs from his Spring Summer 1947 fashion show would come to be known as the New Look, after Carmel Snow, editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar, commented “it’s such a new look!”.
The cuts and silhouettes moved away from the minimalist, rationed designs of the 1940s during the war and introduced an extravagant look that was an instant success. The New Look silhouette was characterized by full skirts and a narrow waist, and after some initial opposition, women loved that Dior’s designs bought back femininity after the austerity of the Second World War.
Christian Dior continued to create incredible collections which were worn by the biggest Hollywood actresses and European royalty. After 10 years the head of his eponymous luxury label, Christian Dior suffered a heart attack and his assistant, a 21-year-old Yves Saint Laurent, was promoted to creative director.
The first collections by Yves Saint Laurent were a hit, he used similar materials and silhouettes to Dior but made them more lightweight and appealing to the modern woman. But Yves Saint Laurent’s 1960 Bohemian collection was not popular with the traditional, older Dior customers, and Marc Bohan came in to replace Saint Laurent as the creative director.
Bohan’s collection proved popular and he went on to launch the very first Dior Homme collection, which quickly became a favorite menswear line and has remained so since – Hedi Slimane and Kim Jones are among previous the creative directors for this collection.
In 1989, Gianfranco Ferré became creative director for 10 years before British designer John Galliano was introduced as the latest creative director, in 1997 bringing a new, fresh lease of life to the historic fashion house. Galliano created some of the most memorable fashion shoes, filled with bold, Avant Garde designs that took the fashion industry by storm.
After Galliano, Raf Simons took over the role, who took Dior in a more minimalist, sophisticated direction before Maria Grazia Churi was announced as the new creative director in 2016, and the first woman creative director at the House of Dior. The Christian Dior couture, ready-to-wear, and accessory collections are still at the forefront of the fashion industry, creating irresistible collections each season.
2. Materials
As one of the top luxury brands in the world, Dior makes sure to use the highest-quality materials to guarantee a luxe feel and durable finish to make sure each piece really stands the test of time.
You will find that most Dior handbags are made from calfskin leather, with a smooth, grained, or patent finish, but there are also lambskin leather and exotic leather options too. There are plenty of canvas, wicker, raffia, and satin handbag available from Dior too, each with a high-quality look and feel.
If you are looking at Dior clothing, most pieces are made from cotton, with a few wool, silk, and cashmere items in the collection – these finest materials ensure a luxurious, high-quality finish that you can wear and wash over and over again. There are also some polyester pieces as well as items featuring viscose, elastane, and polyamide, these synthetic materials will add a little stretch or more durability to some of the clothing.
These high-quality materials will push up the price of Dior clothing and handbags, which is part of the reason why Dior products are so expensive.
3. Craftsmanship
Luxurious craftsmanship will also increase the price of Dior luxury goods but guarantees a top-quality finish. Most Dior pieces are made in Europe, with clothing and perfumes often made in France and Italy, and leather goods, bags, and shoes often made in Spain or Italy, and jeans are made in Japan. In each of these locations, highly skilled artisans craft each Dior piece to make sure all items are finished to the same high standard.
Dior often works to preserve artisan trends where natural and raw materials are expertly sourced and ten treated with care by experts who have been practicing these techniques for decades.
As you would expect, the Dior haute couture collections take craftsmanship to the next level, with each piece being made by hand in the Dior ateliers in Paris. Dior also offers repairs to make sure you can enjoy your luxury and leather goods for years and years to come. This attention to detail and ongoing care of your Dior piece means the brand can charge a lot for a Dior luxury item.
3. Exclusivity
Part of the reason why Dior items have high price tags is to keep up the exclusivity of their products. The more people that have Dior garments or accessories, the less exclusive and highly-regarded the brand is since lots of people would own a Dior piece.
This means Dior charges a lot for their luxury goods to make sure that only a few, rich people can afford to buy Dior handbags, shoes, or dresses, distinguishing them from other consumers.
This also has an effect on the reputation and status of the brand, since the price tags are high, other people will know that you must have a high disposable income in order to afford Dior products, giving a high status to anyone wearing Dior luxury items.
4. Celebrities
Over the decades, Dior has been a favorite brand of countless celebrities and royalty, and this association with celebrities means Dior can charge more for their clothing and bags since these are pieces worn by high-profile people that want exclusive pieces.
Charlize Theron, Anya Taylor-Joy, Yara Shahidi, Rihanna, Jennifer Lawrence, and Priyanka Chopra are among the celebrities that have been seen in Dior pieces on the red carpet or just in their everyday lives. While royalty, including Princess Diana, Princess Margaret, Princess Charlene, Meghan Markle, and Princess Grace of Monaco, have all been seen in Dior garments over the years.
Dior’s association with high-profile people means that they can charge a lot and put high prices on their products since people will pay more to carry the same bag as their favorite celebrity or member of the royal family.
Top Dior Products Worth the price tag
There are so many gorgeous pieces available from Dior, so we have narrowed it down to some of the most popular luxury goods that will never go out of style and are a great investment in your wardrobe. The Christian Dior bags are a best-seller and their design means they look eternally stylish. Let’s take a look at some of the Dior products you need to add to your basket!
1. The Lady Dior Bag
The Dior Lady Dior bag is one of the most iconic handbags in the world, first designed in 1995 and seen on the arm of Princess Diana, then has since been worn by countless celebrities, including Blake Lively, Miranda Kerr, and Sarah Jessica Parker. There is now a wide range of different Lady Dior bags available, including different materials, colors, and sizes so there is something to suit any personal style.
We just adore this classic black leather Mini Lady Dior, quilted with the cannage pattern and finished with glittering gold hardware. The Lady Dior handbag has a classic, structured silhouette, with leather top handles, a leather shoulder strap, and a Dior charm – just perfect!
There are now cannage canvas Lady Dior bags too – with a chic and versatile look to ensure they will suit any outfit! The beige canvas has been decorated with the cannage pattern and features the Christian Dior brand name across the center.
The gold hardware adds a glam touch to this beautiful handbag. The top handle is covered in canvas, while the canvas shoulder strap, which is detachable, is embroidered with ‘Christian Dior’. This medium-sized Lady Dior has plenty of room inside for all your everyday essentials, plus a pocket to help your stay organized.
2. The Saddle Bag
The Dior Saddle bag is another famous and beloved handbag that you really need in your bag collection if you are a handbag fanatic! Just like there Lady Dior, there are lots of different colors and materials available, plus you can find stunning vintage editions of this bag on resale sites like The RealReal. Since small shoulder bags have become so popular, the Saddle bag really is a must-have.
This Dior bag has a unique design, with a slim, curved silhouette and sleek shoulder strap, which is attached to the bag with the CD initials. The front of the bag is finished with a gleaming gold D charm, while the front flap opens to a compact interior, lined with suede and fitted with a slip pocket. The blush pink shade is a great neutral to go for that can be paired with any look.
If you fancy something a little more eye-catching, go for the striking Dior Oblique Saddle Bag! This edition of the saddle bag is made from navy and beige oblique canvas, a signature of the house of Dior which features the Dior brand name.
The saddle bag is trimmed with leather and finished with a leather shoulder strap and gold hardware, which really pops against the dark blue. The front flap allows easy access to the canvas-lined interior, which is just the right size for your evening-out items!
3. the Book Tote
The Dior Book Tote is one of the newer additions to the Christian Dior collection, but was an instant hit and has now become a classic Dior bag. The design of this bag was based on a drawing created by Marc Bohan, the creative director of Dior between 1960 and 1989, but it was the current creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri that brought this drawing to life.
The tote has a simple aesthetic, which is just one of the reasons why it has become so popular because it is a timeless and practical handbag. The Dior Book tote is most often crafted from durable canvas but can feature a wide range of classically Dior designs.
The Dior Oblique Book Tote is the original, with a navy and beige color palette and the Christian Dior brand name across the center. The rolled top handles can be carried in your hand or slid over the shoulder, while the spacious interior means you can fit everything for a beach trip, busy weekend day, or work day in this bag.
This orange Toile de Jouy Book Tote is just beautiful and will add a stunning pop of color to any outfit. The canvas tote has the same structure, but instead, the canvas is decorated with the unique and attention-grabbing Toile de Jouy pattern.
This bag is medium size, which is ideal for your day-to-day essentials without getting too heavy. On the Dior site, there is also the option to personalize this bag with your name for an extra special touch!
4. Dior Shoes
There are some gorgeous heels, sandals, sneakers, and boots available from Christian Dior too – including these sophisticated and elegant Dior Technical Canvas Ribbon J’Adior Sling-Back Pumps! These are some of the best-selling shoes from Dior since they have an effortlessly stylish look.
The pumps are made from black textured technical canvas, with a J’Adior printed white ribbon that wraps around the back of the heel to create the sling-back silhouette. The pointed toe and slim 4-inch heel ensure a polished and refined aesthetic. These are a classic pair of shoes that will suit any formal or special occasion look.
These Dioract Sandals are the perfect summer shoes that look super fashionable but are so comfy at the same time. There are lots of different variations of the Dioract sandals available to suit any personal style, but we love the neutral tones of these Dior Technical Mesh Rubber Dioract Sandals.
The adjustable straps are crafted from black and white mesh, and feature the Dior brand name for a high-end fashion look. The leather insole and rubber sole guarantee a comfortable feel so you can easily wear these sandals on busy summer days. The raffia trim adds a flawless summery finishing touch!
We hope you found this article answering the question, why Dior is so expensive, helpful! For more luxury fashion content, check out the links below.
Get more luxury fashion ideas
Dior’s Latest Price Increase: All The Details You Need To Know
Gucci Vs Dior: Which Luxury Label Is Right For You?
