Kim Jones is leaving Fendi after four-year tenure as Artistic director of womenswear and couture. The British designer, known for his sophisticated blend of modernity and heritage, will now focus exclusively on his role as artistic director of menswear at Dior. His departure from Fendi marks a significant shift in the luxury fashion landscape and has captured the attention of fashion enthusiasts around the world.
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Fendi’s parent company, announced Jones’ departure in a brief statement. They acknowledged his “significant contributions to the brand’s creative legacy, seamlessly integrating his modern and cross-cultural aesthetics with Fendi’s historical heritage.” Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH, praised Jones as “a highly talented designer who has brought his unique and multicultural vision to Fendi over the past four years.”
During his time at Fendi, Jones often drew inspiration from the archives of Karl Lagerfeld, who shaped the brand from 1965 until his death in 2019. Working closely with Silvia Venturini Fendi and her daughter, Delfina Delettrez Fendi, he sought to reinvigorate Fendi’s ready-to-wear and couture collections. His approach offered an inclusive and innovative view of fashion that honored Fendi’s Italian roots.
Jones’ tenure was marked by ambitious projects and collaborations. In 2021, he pioneered a creative exchange with Donatella Versace. The following year, he invited Marc Jacobs to contribute to Fendi’s Spring/Summer collection and partnered with Tiffany & Co. for special Baguette handbags. His “Friends of Fendi” initiative saw collaborations with designers such as Stefano Pilati, further expanding the brand’s creative horizons.
Despite commercial success, his collections received mixed reviews from industry insiders. Some within LVMH reportedly viewed certain projects with skepticism. Nevertheless, Jones proudly noted that Fendi’s sales nearly tripled during his tenure, topping 2 billion euros.
The announcement did not specify who would succeed Jones at Fendi. It said only that “a new creative organization for Fendi” would be announced “in due time.” Market sources suggest that designers such as Pierpaolo Piccioli have been in talks with the brand. The vacancy adds to a series of high-profile changes in the industry, with creative positions open at major houses such as Chanel, Dries Van Noten and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Kim Jones’ departure reflects broader shifts within the luxury fashion sector, which is currently facing a slowdown in consumption and changing consumer behavior. His move to focus on Dior underscores the challenges designers face in balancing multiple high-profile roles. At Dior, Jones has been celebrated for enriching the menswear collections through artist and brand collaborations, seamlessly blending streetwear elements with luxury fashion.
His career began with acclaim when John Galliano bought his graduate collection from Central Saint Martins. Prior to his roles at Dior Men and Fendi, Jones established himself at Louis Vuitton, where he helped ignite the luxury streetwear phenomenon with a groundbreaking collaboration with Supreme in 2017.
