Jonathan Anderson, a native of Northern Ireland, has been appointed the new creative director of the French fashion house Dior, as announced by the brand on its social media.

The 40-year-old designer replaces Maria Grazia Chiuri, who held the position as director of the women’s line for nearly a decade. Anderson was named designer of the men’s line in April, and now his role will expand to include overseeing the women’s line and couture.

Before presenting his first women’s collection for the house during Paris Fashion Week in October, the designer will debut with the men’s show on June 27.

«The fashion house hasn’t had a single creative director since Christian Dior himself, and we believe the time has come to change that. Jonathan is the most talented designer of his generation,» said Dior CEO Delphine Arnault in an interview with Vogue Business regarding the appointment.

Background: Jonathan Anderson debuted as a designer with his own brand, JW Anderson, in 2008. In 2013, he became the creative director of the Spanish fashion house Loewe, which, like Dior, is part of the LVMH group. He left Loewe earlier this year.

Anderson has also worked on major projects such as designing Rihanna’s outfit for the 2023 Super Bowl and costumes for Luca Guadagnino’s film. That same year, he won the CFDA Fashion Award for «International Designer of the Year» and received the British Fashion Award.

Interestingly, Jonathan Anderson will now work at an astonishing pace — according to Business of Fashion, he will create as many as 18 collections per year: 10 for Dior (including two couture and eight ready-to-wear), six for his own brand JW Anderson, and two as part of his ongoing collaboration with Uniqlo. This workload makes him arguably the most in-demand designer since Karl Lagerfeld.

Dior generates four times more revenue for LVMH than Loewe, meaning Anderson’s new role comes with significantly greater responsibility. Additionally, he faces the challenge of returning Dior to financial growth. According to Bernstein analyst Luca Solca, Dior’s sales fell by 12–15% in the first quarter of 2025. The decline is attributed to a sharp price increase — an average of 51% — which led many customers to opt for travel or jewelry instead of Dior clothing.

Photo: Instagram @jonathan.anderson

Loewe’s creative director, Jonathan Anderson, announced on social media that he is stepping down from the position he has held for 11 years.

Anderson admitted that from his very first day at Loewe, he was fortunate to find like-minded individuals whose talents will always remain unparalleled to him.

During his collaboration with the fashion house, he realized that a true brand is not formed during the first shows but gradually, step by step, over many years.

The designer did not explain the reasons for his decision or reveal his future plans. He expressed gratitude to everyone who supported him and noted that one of his greatest achievements at Loewe was the establishment of the Craft Prize.

«They say all good things must come to an end, but I disagree. While my own chapter is closing, Loewe’s story will continue for many years, and I will proudly watch it unfold. With love, Jonathan,» the creative director wrote.

Loewe has confirmed Anderson’s departure, according to WWD. The brand has not yet announced his successor.

Jonathan Anderson is 40 years old. Initially, he dreamed of an acting career and studied at the Theater College in Washington, but later became passionate about fashion and continued his education at the London College of Fashion.

In 2008, he founded his own brand, JW Anderson, which gained popularity for its gender-neutral designs and experimental approach to form and texture.

In 2013, Anderson was appointed creative director of the Spanish fashion house Loewe. Over 11 years, he revitalized the brand’s image, making it one of the most influential in the luxury industry.

His collections were characterized by an artistic approach, unexpected silhouettes, and craftsmanship techniques.

As for financial performance, under Anderson’s leadership, Loewe’s sales grew from €230 million in 2014 to €1.07 billion in 2024.

Photo: Instagram @jonathan.anderson, Loewe