Exciting changes are happening at Dior. As the fashion world eagerly awaits Jonathan Anderson’s first collection for the French luxury house on June 27, one key team member has already been revealed: footwear designer Nina Christen.
Nina Christen is no stranger to the fashion spotlight. Over the years, she has created some of the most talked-about shoes for major brands like Bottega Veneta, Loewe, and The Row. Now, she has officially joined Dior as the design director of shoes, as confirmed by her recent posts on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Christen has a strong creative history with Jonathan Anderson, having worked alongside him at Loewe. She’s the talent behind several standout designs there, including the playful Balloon heels and the bold Comic Foam pumps, both known for their unique, toy-like shapes.
Originally from Switzerland and Chile, Christen studied at the prestigious Institut Français de la Mode in Paris. Her fashion journey began with an internship at Balenciaga during Nicolas Ghesquière’s tenure as creative director. She then worked at Saint Laurent, first with Stefano Pilati and later under Hedi Slimane, where she designed the now-iconic Chelsea boots.
She went on to work with Phoebe Philo at Céline and followed Daniel Lee to Bottega Veneta, where she helped design the famous Puddle boots and Lido sandals. After a successful three-year run there, Christen joined Loewe in 2022 as Head of Footwear Design, then moved on to The Row as Shoe Design Director.
In 2024, she launched her own label, Christen, offering timeless, nonseasonal footwear. Her collection debuted at Bergdorf Goodman in May and will be available at Selfridges, Lane Crawford, and Dover Street Market from fall 2025.
Though Dior has yet to make an official announcement, Christen confirmed her new role online, saying she is “incredibly excited to support Jonathan Anderson in this new chapter at Dior.”
Fans of standout, conversation-starting shoes have reason to celebrate. Christen’s bold yet refined designs often become instant classics, and her addition to Dior suggests a fresh, creative future for the brand’s footwear.
While we may have to wait until next year to see her full impact at Dior, the buzz has already begun.
