Christian Dior’s Diorissimo Bag: Relaxed Yet Refined
When Christian Dior introduced the Diorissimo handbag at the Spring/Summer 2012 show, it instantly made an impact. To this day, the coveted and rare Diorissimo continues to be a highly sought-after piece for any Dior aficionado. Created by Raf Simons, a Belgian designer who replaced John Galliano as creative director at Dior, the bag is the best of all worlds. It features a tote bag silhouette and a soft, spacious bottom for carrying a variety of items.
Materials and Craftsmanship of the Diorissimo Bag
Dior artisans handcraft each Diorissimo handbag using a few different, but all decidedly luxurious, leather materials: Buttery calfskin, eye-catching ostrich or exotic crocodile. The bags also come in a beautiful assortment of colors, like black, white beige and petal, and more vibrant selections such as rose, bleu, violet and turquoise. The Diorissimo’s leather is polished and dyed by hand to ensure that the bag’s color remains long-lasting. The Diorissimo is truly a handbag for those who revel in handcrafted leather without any distracting elements — it is a beautiful and timeless piece reflecting the brand’s iconic minimalist approach.
There are a few hallmark qualities of the Diorissimo, with one being the handbag’s contrasting exterior color and interior color, known as a bi-color scheme. Diorissimos also features a convenient snap closure, two generous interior pockets, perfect for stowing almost any item, plus a small zippered pouch for essentials such as cash or a card case.
Diorissimo collectors often rave over the bag’s unique versatility. Each Diorissimo is easy to carry in hand by its comfortable double handles, over the shoulder or even as a crossbody using the bag’s included detachable longer strap. Christian Dior produces this particular bag in three different sizes: small, medium and large. Each bag is heat stamped with the name “Christian Dior” on the inside and features four charms, ‘D.I.O.R.’ dangling elegantly from the handles.
The Diorissimo Bag Versus the Lady Dior Bag
For those new to luxury handbags, you might be finding yourself wondering what the difference is between the Diorissimo bag and the Lady Dior one. Though fashion movers and shakers worldwide recognize both handbags as iconic pieces, there are a few significant variations between the two:
- Stitching: The Diorissimo has no visible stitching on the outside of the bag, adding to its beautifully smooth texture. The Lady Dior’s trademarked element is its signature Cannage stitching.
- Shape: While the Lady Dior has a structured, square bottom, the Diorissimo is more flexible, making it the ideal tote for everyday use.
- Gusset: The Diorissimo has gussets on either side, which expand to create a wealth of space inside the handbag. The Lady Dior does not have these gussets due to its structured shape.
The Diorissimo Bag’s Value and Collectibility
As the Diorissimo handbag is no longer available for purchase through retail outlets, collectors need to direct their attention (and search) to the secondary marketplace. Because it remains one of fashion's most iconic and elegant handbags, it retains a tremendous amount of mystique and interest from fashionistas around the globe.
Dior discontinued the large iteration in 2013, leaving behind the medium and the small styles, which the house also stopped producing upon Raf Simons departure from the brand. Even so, savvy collectors can find all three sizes of the Diorissimo on the resale market while knowing that these luxurious handbags will retain their value for years to come. In early 2021, a pre-owned mini Diorissimo in soft black leather sold for more than $1,200, while large-sized Diorissimo bags fetch, on average, more than $1,800. Lastly, medium-sized Dior Diorissimo bags sell for about $2,400.