Kim Jones is stepping down from Dior Men

Kim Jones is stepping down from his role as artistic director of menswear at Dior, the house announced today.

“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.

The British designer has been at the helm of Dior Men since 2018. His last show for the house, just a week ago, was followed not only by rave reviews but also a knighthood: the designer was awarded France’s highest distinction, the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur by Vogue’s Anna Wintour at Paris’s Le Laurent, in front of a crowd that included Gwendoline Christie, Robert Pattinson, Kieran Culkin, Jeremy O Harris, Chitose Abe, Rick Owens and Delphine Arnault.

Jones also holds an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) decoration, which he received from Queen Elizabeth II in October 2020. Earlier that year, he had succeeded the late Karl Lagerfeld at Fendi, where, until October 2024, he designed womenswear, haute couture and fur. Jones shares with his predecessor a passion for collecting as well as a “voracious lust for knowledge and a curiosity that’s astounding”, Wintour noted in her opening remarks at last week’s knighthood ceremony.

Prior to his appointment at Dior Men, Jones served as artistic director of Louis Vuitton Men’s from 2011 to 2018. He was the engine behind the 2017 Louis Vuitton x Supreme collaboration, which many regard as a landmark moment for streetwear. “The distinguishing mark of a great designer is to transform complexity into something that just looks simply and inevitably right,” wrote Vogue’s Sarah Mower at the time, adding that “this collection had that talent stamped all over it.” “We raised [streetwear] up to something that was very luxurious,” said Jones himself of the collaboration in a recent interview with Vogue Business’s Laure Guilbault.

At Dior Men, Jones continued to explore collaborations — with artists like Daniel Arsham and Kaws, as well as fellow designers and fashion brands, including Shawn Stussy, Erl’s Eli Russell Linnetz, and Stone Island. “Everything is togetherness: supporting, collaborating, lifting up,” said Wintour about Jones. “He has also made a habit throughout his enormously successful career — first with his own label, then at Dunhill, then Louis Vuitton, then at Fendi and Dior — of happily sharing the spotlight with others,” she added.

According to HSBC estimates, Christian Dior Couture generated sales of €8.5 billion in 2024 — a fraction of which is generated by menswear, which, according to analysts, has proved resilient in a difficult economic environment.

Where will Jones land in his next act? And would he consider bringing back his own label now that he is a free agent? “If I did it, I’d do it in a very different way. It’d be a complete lifestyle. It wouldn’t be just clothing. The things that people are really looking to spend money on is their home and travel,” he told Vogue Business last week. We are all watching closely.

This article first appeared on voguebusiness.com

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