Christian Dior by John Galliano — Gaucho Collection Fall/Winter 2006 Cork Wedge Strappy Sandal | EU 35.5 | US 5.5 | UK 3 | 4" Wedge | Made in Italy

The Collection

February 2006. John Galliano presents Christian Dior Fall/Winter at the Musée Rodin in Paris. The theme — the Argentine gaucho, South American cowboys of the pampas, their tooled leather, coin medallions, and espadrille craft — filtered through the radical imagination of the greatest showman in fashion history.

The Gaucho collection stopped the fashion world. Models in leather chaps, cork wedge sandals, saddle-tooled bags, and coin medallion hardware walked to a standing ovation. WWD declared it one of the most cinematic runway presentations of the decade. Fashion historians now consider it among Galliano's defining Dior masterworks.

Dior Gaucho archive pieces have been climbing 25–40% on secondary markets since 2022. Galliano's cultural rehabilitation — his return through Margiela, his celebrated couture collections — has reignited serious global collector demand for his Dior work. Pieces from the Gaucho collection with coin medallion hardware intact are selling $380–$750+ on Vestiaire Collective and 1stDibs.

This is investment-grade fashion history.

The Piece

Ivory cream genuine leather strappy sandal with laser-cut diamond and four-point star perforations throughout all upper straps. Natural cork wedge base. Leather-wrapped back heel panel with hand-tooled geometric lattice and diamond etching — directly referencing Argentine saddle-making tradition. Gunmetal floral stud embellishment bordering the leather heel panel. The Gaucho collection's most iconic signature — a large Dior gold coin medallion charm at the ankle strap buckle. Christian Dior branded leather insole. Made in Italy. Size 35.5 stamped on both soles.

Every construction detail traces to Galliano's Argentine narrative. The tooled leather references gaucho saddle craft. The coin medallion references the currency charms worn by Argentine cowboys. The cork wedge references South American espadrille tradition. This is fashion storytelling executed at the highest possible level of couture craftsmanship.

Condition: Good Vintage — Full Disclosure

One small gunmetal stud is missing from the back right heel panel. Barely perceptible when the shoe is worn and does not affect the overall visual integrity of the pair. All leather straps are supple, clean, and fully intact with no cracking, peeling, or splitting. Cork wedge structurally solid with no separation or damage. Dior gold coin medallion charm present and fully secured on both shoes. Ankle buckle hardware functioning correctly on both shoes. Christian Dior branded insole legible on both shoes. Soles show wear consistent with use. No structural issues on either shoe.

For serious Dior Gaucho collectors, one missing back stud on an otherwise complete, authenticated, and beautifully presented pair is entirely standard vintage condition and does not materially impact collectibility or investment value.

Authenticity — 100% Authentic Christian Dior

Authentication markers present and fully photographed:

• Christian Dior branded leather insole — both shoes
• Signature Gaucho collection gold coin medallion charm at ankle buckle — both shoes intact
• Hand-tooled geometric leather heel panel — production consistent with FW2006 Gaucho line
• Laser-cut diamond and star perforations — consistent with Gaucho runway documentation
• Made in Italy stamp — both soles
• Size 35.5 stamped — both soles
• Cork wedge construction, leather quality, and gunmetal stud hardware consistent with Dior mainline production standards

Sizing

• EU: 35.5
• US: 5.5
• UK: 3
• Fit: True to European sizing — slightly narrow through toe, standard Dior construction

Measurements

• Wedge height: 4 inches / 10cm
• Platform toe: Approximately 0.5 inch / 1.5cm
• Effective heel rise: Approximately 3.5 inches