As anticipation builds for Jonathan Anderson’s Dior menswear debut, the British designer is quietly assembling a team poised to shape the house’s next chapter. His latest move was the appointment of acclaimed footwear designer Nina Christen to lead Dior’s shoe design.
Christen, who previously served as head of footwear at Loewe, worked closely with Anderson during her tenure there—crafting cult favorites like the viral Balloon pumps that fused technical playfulness with surrealist flair. Her design sensibility, which merges sculptural experimentation with wearability, has proven a fitting match for Anderson’s often cerebral creative universe.
Beyond Loewe, Christen brings a wealth of luxury experience, having designed for The Row, Saint Laurent (notably under Hedi Slimane, where her Chelsea boots became an industry mainstay), and Bottega Veneta—where she contributed to standout styles like the Lido sandals and Puddle boots. She also debuted her own namesake label, Christen, in late 2024, affirming her standing as a designer with a distinct vision and cult following.
While her appointment hasn’t been formally announced by Dior, Christen confirmed the news on Instagram, writing: “Incredibly excited to support Jonathan Anderson in this new chapter at Dior.” Her arrival signals a strong creative alignment at Dior—and a likely reinvigoration of its footwear category, which in the past has seen bestsellers like the J’Adior slingbacks and Fusion sneakers become commercial pillars. Given Christen’s track record, Dior may be poised for another era of statement-making shoes that spark both buzz and sell-through.
Though her first designs for Dior may not surface until 2025, her early presence marks another thoughtful move in Anderson’s slow-building yet sharply strategic vision for the maison.