Fashion’s Shakeup Continues as the LOEWE Designer Prepares June Debut
By Fashion Editorial Staff
LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault announced yesterday that Jonathan Anderson will succeed Kim Jones as creative director of Dior Men. The Northern Irish designer, who recently concluded his transformative 11-year tenure at Loewe, will debut his first collection for the storied French house on June 27 during Paris Fashion Week.
The news dropped unexpectedly during LVMH’s annual shareholders’ meeting in Paris, with Arnault making the announcement offhandedly—an unceremonious reveal that nonetheless marked a major creative shift for the conglomerate. Dior swiftly followed with a press release confirming Anderson’s appointment and released a new official portrait by photographer David Sims. Anderson is already at work on the Spring 2026 men’s collection.
He steps into a role shaped by some of the most influential designers of the 21st century. Hedi Slimane’s era-defining tenure from 2000 to 2007 introduced razor-sharp tailoring and ultra-slim silhouettes that re-imagined modern masculinity.
Kris Van Assche, who succeeded Slimane and served through 2018, maintained that precision while weaving in quiet athleticism and graphic restraint. Kim Jones, who has helmed Dior Men since 2018, transformed the label into a cultural juggernaut, known for its blockbuster collaborations with artists, streetwear brands, and legacy names alike. Under his direction, Dior Men became a vital node in the global fashion conversation, fusing couture craft with pop relevance and expanding its footprint into sneaker and streetwear culture.
Jones’ departure leaves a notable void, but Anderson brings with him a singular perspective. At Loewe, he elevated the once-sleepy leather goods house into a buzzy, cerebral, and globally resonant brand. His tenure there saw revenues soar—reportedly multiplying more than sevenfold to nearly €2 billion—as he fused surreal craftsmanship with narrative sophistication, making Loewe both critically and commercially admired. From gallery-worthy runway installations to sculptural garments and artful accessories, Anderson’s vision has consistently challenged fashion's visual and conceptual limits.
The timing of Anderson’s appointment is telling. LVMH recently reported a 3% decline in first-quarter sales to €20.3 billion, falling short of analyst projections of 2% growth. Its fashion and leather goods division—which includes heavyweights like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Loewe, and Fendi—saw a 5% sales drop, reflecting broader headwinds in the luxury market. Yet despite slowing growth, Arnault used the shareholder meeting to reinforce the group’s long-term creative priorities. “Maybe we’ll have a little less growth,” he said. “OK, that doesn’t bother me at all, as long as we make the best products.”
Anderson’s arrival sends a clear signal: in an era when fashion houses are rethinking their values and audiences are demanding more than logo-driven spectacle, LVMH is doubling down on creative substance. While industry speculation has hinted at Anderson as a potential successor to Maria Grazia Chiuri on the women’s side—Chiuri has led Dior’s womenswear since 2016—Arnault made no mention of future shifts. Chiuri is set to present Dior’s Cruise 2026 collection in Rome on May 27.
Anderson also joins a new wave of creative leadership across the LVMH portfolio. Recent appointments include Sarah Burton at Givenchy, Michael Rider at Celine, and the Proenza Schouler duo Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough—now tasked with leading Loewe following Anderson’s departure. The move continues a broader trend of reshuffling at the industry’s top houses, with Chanel, Gucci, Margiela, Lanvin, and Versace all naming new creative directors over the past year.
Anderson’s Dior debut is already among the most anticipated of the upcoming season. Known for transforming mundane objects into poetic fashion statements and infusing his collections with intellectual edge, he brings a distinctly experimental energy to Dior’s platform. His appointment could mark a turn away from the streetwear-driven strategies of recent years and toward a more emotionally layered, visually daring vision of menswear.
With Paris Fashion Week on the horizon, all eyes are on what Anderson will unveil. Will he reimagine Dior Men through the lens of his conceptual craft, or strike a new balance between heritage and provocation? Either way, a bold new chapter at Dior is about to begin.