January 31, 2025 |
After seven years at the house, Kim Jones OBE has announced he is stepping down as Dior’s artistic director for menswear.
In a brief statement, the house expressed “its deepest gratitude” to Jones, who has “accelerated the development of men’s collections internationally and has greatly contributed to the worldwide influence of the house by creating an inspiring wardrobe that is both classic and contemporary, and connected to some artists of our time.”
Throughout his tenure Jones, who was recently decorated as a Knight of the Legion of Honour (France’s highest civilian decoration), proved himself as one of fashion’s greatest showmen. He has taken his elegant Dior collections to the Pyramids of Giza, to Venice beach and to Tokyo, where a giant Hajime Soramaya backdropped his second-ever collection for the house.
Jones’ design handwriting at Dior has been in a dialogue with that of Christian Dior’s, dancing between masculine and feminine codes to create an ultra-modern wardrobe that featured wrap-around tailoring, street-ready knits and opulent outerwear. Not to mention a hit series of shoes and bags, like the first Saddle bag for men, which has sky-rocketed the house’s menswear business.
Already proving himself a maestro of all-star collaboration at Louis Vuitton – where he helped spearhead the streetwear boom with his 2017 Supreme collab – through Dior he collaborated with an impressive list of contemporary artists. Notable names included Peter Doig, Kaws, Daniel Arsham, Kenny Scharf, Amoako Boafo and, most recently, South African ceramicist, Hylton Nel. He also teamed up with a slew of fashion’s boundary-pushing designers – bringing Shawn Stussy out of retirement for his Fall 20 Miami Beach show, as well as co-designing collections alongside Sacai’s Chitose Abe, Eli Russell Linnetz and the musician Travis Scott.
As he moved through his tenure, Jones’s collections have only got more masterful. Highlights have included his Day-Glo-hued 5th anniversary show, which saw models rise from the floor in a stadium-style pop production, his ballet-inspired AW24 collection, that featured his first couture men’s looks and his swan song show, staged last Friday, which saw models descend a giant white staircase in cocooning opera coats, handsome bar jackets and a powder-pink kimono frosted in silver embellishment.
Speaking on the announcement, Jones said “It was a true honour to have been able to create my collections within the house of Dior, a symbol of absolute excellence.” He continued, “I express my deep gratitude to my studio and the ateliers who have accompanied me on this wonderful journey. They have brought my creations to life. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the artists and friends I have met through my collaborations. Lastly, I feel sincere gratitude towards Bernard and Delphine Arnault, who have given me their full support.”
Three months ago, Jones also stepped down from Fendi, where he had been artistic director of haute couture and ready-to-wear for women for four years. It has not yet been announced where Jones will head to next, nor has a successor been named.
Photography courtesy of Kim Jones.
@mrkimjones
