Kim Jones exits Dior as rumours of Jonathan Anderson taking helm mount

Dior has today announced that Kim Jones, who has held the role of Artistic Director of Menswear for seven years, is exiting the storied Parisian house.

After Proenza Schouler duo Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez signed their deals with LVMH to take over at Loewe earlier this month, speculation grew that Jonathan Anderson was lined up to take over at Dior. But questions over him wanting to share the top spot with Jones began to arise. With Jones now leaving Dior, the industry is almost certain that Anderson is waiting in the wings.

Kim Jones's final show for Dior Homme last week saw him receive not only endless praise but also France’s highest distinction, the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur.

"I am extremely grateful for the remarkable work done by Kim Jones, his studio, and the ateliers. With all his talent and creativity, he has constantly reinterpreted the house’s heritage with genuine freedom of tone and surprising, highly desirable artistic collaborations," said Delphine Arnault, chairman and CEO of Dior, in a statement.

"It was a true honour to have been able to create my collections within the House of Dior, a symbol of absolute excellence. 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," Jones added.

Kim Jones for Dior Homme AW2019

Only a few months ago, in October 2024, it was announced that Kim Jones was relinquishing his role as Artistic Director of Womenswear and Couture at Fendi to "concentrate fully" on his position as artistic director of menswear at Dior.

Jones had taken on the role at Fendi in 2020 taking over from the late Karl Lagerfeld, who held the position alongside his chief designer role at Chanel until his death in 2019. Jones had joined Dior from another LVMH house, Louis Vuitton, in 2018.

He is considered to be one of the pre-eminent design talents globally in menswear blending streetwear influences with tailoring and broad cultural references from his travels into his designs.

Kim Jones - a career in fashion

2002: Jones, who had spent much of his childhood in Ecuador, the Caribbean and Africa due to his father's career as a hydrologist, graduates from London's Central Saint Martins
2003-2008: Creates his own menswear label and also collaborates with a number of big names in luxury, sports and high street fashion, such as BOSS, Umbro and Topman
2008: Appointed as creative director of Dunhill and closes his own label
2011-2018: holds the position of style director of the men's ready-to-wear division at LVMH flagship house Louis Vuitton
2018: Appointed Artistic Director for Menswear at Dior
2020: adds Artistic Director of Womenswear and Couture at Fendi to his responsibilities
2024: Exits Fendi to focus on Dior
2025: Steps down from Dior after receiving the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur