Jonathan Anderson has been named the sole creative director of Dior, and yes, that means everything: women’s, men’s, and haute couture. The Northern Irish designer, best known for turning Loewe into the fashion world’s quiet obsession and running his own label JW Anderson, will take the reins following Maria Grazia Chiuri’s exit last week. Her final collection, a poetic send-off in Rome, marked the end of an era defined by feminism and fierce femininity.
Anderson’s appointment isn’t exactly a shock—fashion insiders have been whispering about it for months, especially after he stepped away from Loewe and handed the keys to Proenza Schouler’s founders. But it’s still a major moment: this is the first time Dior has trusted one person to lead both its women’s and men’s lines (fine jewelry stays with Victoire de Castellane).
His Dior menswear debut is set for June 27 during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris, and he’ll show his first womenswear collection during Paris Fashion Week in October—just as a record number of top houses (Chanel, Gucci, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, you name it) are also switching things up creatively.
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Delphine Arnault, Dior’s CEO, said it was the right time for a creative shift and called Anderson the most talented designer of his generation. Her father, Bernard Arnault, echoed that, calling his vision “incomparable.”
For his part, Anderson says he’s honored and plans to let Dior’s original “empathetic spirit” guide him as he writes the next chapter. “It is a great honor to join the House of Dior as Creative Director of both women’s and men’s collections. I have always been inspired by the rich history of this House, its depth, and empathy,” shared Anderson. “I look forward to working alongside its legendary Ateliers to craft the next chapter of this incredible story. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Bernard Arnault and Delphine Arnault for their trust and loyalty over the years.”
Born in 1984, Jonathan Anderson studied in London, cut his teeth at Prada, and launched JW Anderson in 2008. Since then, he’s collected just about every award worth mentioning, including multiple Designer of the Year wins and major nods from the CFDA and British Fashion Awards.
Let the new Dior era begin.
