Dior’s Kim Jones Blends ‘Cognac And Couture’ Into Hennessy Sneakers
Hennessy has tapped on Dior Men’s and Fendi Women’s artistic director Kim Jones as the first fashion designer to be part of its XO Masterpiece series—creating an exclusive bottle, decanter, and pair of sneakers that blend “cognac and couture” into a single collection.
Previously, the alcohol brand collaborated with industrial designer Marc Newson and architect Frank Gehry on a similar capsule, though as Dezeen noted, the pair of sneakers from Jones’ collection are the first pair of shoes ever created for Hennessy.
Jones said he wanted the products to be “elevated and chic,” allowing them to reflect both the heritage of the brand and his own design values. The footwear, in particular, was imagined to be “a glass of cognac in sneaker form,” which he said was akin to “looking into the bottle.”
Inspired by early basketball shoes, the sneakers feature a simple, monochrome brown look with a grooved rubber sole. On its base are embossed cognac vines, topped off with a nubuck leather upper as a nod towards both the alcohol and the bottle.
The designer took details from the Hennessy bottle and integrated them into the shoes. For example, Jones revealed the ribbon around the bottle served as inspiration for the laces, and the sneakers’ eyelets, color, and other elements are reflected in the drink as well.
Kim Jones (Dior artistic director) has designed a bottle, decanter and pair of sneakers for Hennessy.
— Jazerai Allen-Lord (@jazzyrae) March 11, 2023
The sneakers were made at a shoe factory in Italy owned by Hennessy and Dior's parent company, LVMH.
(via @dezeen) pic.twitter.com/VSG1iwe5L1
Complex reported that the pair will be launching sometime this month, though an exact release date hasn’t been given. The shoes will come in an oak box, designed by Jones, that is reminiscent of the barrels that Hennessy is stored in.
Fans of the collection can also pick up a decanter and bottle inspired by the original tissue paper wrappings of Hennessy XO, which the designer described as “precious” to create. The decanter was made out of titanium that wraps around the bottle “like an architectural second skin.”
