March 17, 2025 |
Jonathan Anderson is leaving Loewe.
This morning, it was announced the Irish designer is exiting the LVMH-owned brand after spending 11 years as creative director.
In a statement, Anderson said: “Eleven years ago, I was given the most incredible opportunity: to write a chapter in a story that is now 179 years old… Thank you to all those who supported me and my vision and to all the people who made every show possible. And to those who appeared in campaigns, wrote articles, bought products, or simply liked a post – you have made this all possible. They say all good things must to come to an end, but I disagree. While my own chapter draws to a close, Loewe’s story will continue for many years to come and I will look on with pride.”
The last 11 years have seen Anderson meet experimental design with souring commercial success, transforming the storied leather goods specialist into a near £1 billion company.
Joining the house in 2013, his vision for the Spanish house has been guided by an immense appreciation of craft in all senses of the word. From his hit Puzzle and Flamenco bags, through to his early collections that were bohemian with quirky flair, Anderson continually championed handwoven and innovative fabrics and experimental silhouettes. He aligned Loewe with the arts world, collaborating with everyone from Lynda Benglis and Anthea Hamilton, to Richard Hawkins and the estate of the late Ken Price on his show sets and collections.
Under Anderson, Loewe also joined forces with Studio Ghibli for an ongoing ready-to-wear and accessories collaboration featuring beloved characters from the Japanese animation specialists, and with the annual Loewe Foundation Craft Prize (launched in 2016), has uplifted a generation of artisans setting “new standards for the future of craft”, with 50,000 euro cash prizes.
In July of 2024, Loewe was named the hottest brand in the world in Lyst’s Index ranking, having previously topped the list the year prior. Following the pandemic, Loewe’s global reach was maximised thanks to Anderson’s surrealist collections, which featured everything from dresses that looked like cars, stilettos with balloon-shaped heels and trousers with sky-high waistbands. Equal parts bonkers and brilliant, following the brand’s switch-up in direction, Loewe became a go-to amongst the celebrity elite – dressing both Beyoncé for her global Renaissance tour and creating a bespoke look for Rihanna’s Superbowl halftime show.
A master marketeer, Anderson also cleverly intertwined Loewe with the film world, designing the costumes for Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers and Queer; each press junket playing out like a Loewe catwalk (with many of both film’s stars going on to front Loewe campaigns, alongside a slew of other rising Hollywood stars like Ayo Edebiri and Greta Lee).
It is yet to be announced who will replace Anderson at Loewe, with rumours swirling that Anderson’s next gig will be of spectacular scale.
Photography by David Sims courtesy of UTA.
