In a sudden turn of events within the fashion industry, Kim Jones and Fendi have officially announced the conclusion of their four-year collaboration. This period was marked by a wealth of creativity, memorable destination shows, and a series of innovative partnerships that redefined the Roman fashion house’s approach.
Jones, a British designer, held the etitle of artistic director over Fendi’s haute couture, ready-to-wear, and fur collections for women. However, he will continue his influential role as the artistic director of men’s collections at Dior in Paris, where he has made significant waves since his appointment.
Late Friday, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the parent company of Fendi, released a brief statement confirming Jones’ departure. The statement praised Jones for his meaningful contributions, noting how he successfully melded his modern and diverse design sensibilities with the rich heritage of Fendi. “Kim Jones made significant contributions to the brand’s creative legacy, seamlessly integrating his modern and cross-cultural aesthetics with Fendi’s historical heritage,” it expressed. It went on to highlight how, under Jones’ stewardship, Fendi not only reinvented its collections but also championed an inclusive and innovative approach to fashion that continuously refreshed the maison’s Italian codes. His tenure exemplified dedication, creativity, and passion, hallmarks of a remarkable artistic journey within one of fashion’s most illustrious houses.
Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH, commended Jones as a highly talented designer who infused Fendi with a unique and multicultural vision throughout his tenure. “I would like to thank him for his contribution and look forward to continuing to witness his creativity for Dior Men’s,” he remarked, acknowledging the significant impact Jones has made.
The statement also hinted at future developments, revealing that a new creative organization within Fendi will be announced “in due time,” though specifics regarding a potential successor were not provided. Reports speculate that discussions have been held with various designers, including Pierpaolo Piccioli, the former creative director of Valentino.
Jones’ exit comes at a tumultuous time for the fashion industry, characterized by a notable slowdown in luxury spending and heightened consumer caution, resulting in a ripple of vacancies among high-profile creative positions. In addition to Jones’ departure, industry insiders have indicated that contracts for designers such as John Galliano at Maison Margiela, Jonathan Anderson at Loewe, and Lucie and Luke Meier at Jil Sander are nearing their conclusion by the end of this year or early 2025. Creative shifts are also underway at prominent fashion houses such as Chanel, Dries Van Noten, and Jean Paul Gaultier.
During his time with Fendi, Jones drew inspiration from the late Karl Lagerfeld’s legacy, who was instrumental in shaping the aesthetic of Fendi’s furs and women’s ready-to-wear from 1965 until his passing in 2019. He frequently collaborated with Silvia Venturini Fendi—the artistic director of accessories and men’s wear—and Silvia’s daughter, Delfina Delettrez Fendi, who made remarkable contributions to the brand as a jewelry creative director. Jones considered them pivotal muses throughout his creative endeavors.
Looking ahead, he expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming centenary celebration of Fendi in 2025, mentioning preparations but withholding further details. Jones’ transition to Fendi mirrored the pathways of other renowned menswear designers like Hedi Slimane and Raf Simons, both of whom successfully ventured into women’s fashion.
When stepping into his role at Fendi, Jones adopted a customer-centric approach, prioritizing practical designs that reflected the lifestyle needs of his close-knit circle, which includes fashion icons such as Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Victoria Beckham. He famously stated in an interview, “I simply wanted to make clothes that women will want to buy. I want all my friends to go, ‘I want that straight away.’”
Jones’ impactful leadership at Fendi was not just about creativity; he was also pleased by the impressive financial success of the brand under his guidance, noting that revenues nearly tripled to surpass €2 billion during his tenure. While his collections received a mix of reviews—mostly positive but not without criticism—it is known that some insiders within LVMH held reservations about certain projects.
In a groundbreaking move that surprised the fashion world, Jones orchestrated a fully collaborative creative exchange with Donatella Versace in September 2021, where Jones crafted a Versace collection and Versace designed a collection for Fendi. This crossover event, known as the “Fendace” collections, was celebrated with pop-up stores and saw great demand across both brands’ platforms.
The year 2022 saw Jones continuing to broaden Fendi’s horizons, including collaboration with Marc Jacobs for the Spring 2023 women’s collection during New York Fashion Week, and a special partnership with Tiffany & Co. for exclusive Baguette handbags. In 2023, he introduced the “Friends of Fendi” initiative, featuring a collaboration with Stefano Pilati that further showcased his innovative spirit.
Amidst internal challenges and an evolving management team—such as the appointment of Pierre-Emmanuel Angeloglou as the new CEO at Fendi in May—Jones’s tenure was marked by significant transformation and adaptation in response to the industry’s demands. Angeloglou succeeded Serge Brunschwig, who had been pivotal in expanding Fendi’s retail and operational capabilities during his six-year leadership.
Jones’s illustrious career, which started at Louis Vuitton in 2011, has been characterized by a penchant for luxurious collections enriched with the essence of travel and streetwear. He sparked the luxury streetwear phenomenon through collaborations with brands like Supreme, which revolutionized the perception of luxury fashion.
As a veteran of the fashion industry, Kim Jones leaves an indelible mark on Fendi and the broader fashion landscape. His journey reflects a continuous evolution that resonates with both the rich legacy of luxury fashion and the vibrancy of contemporary street aesthetics. It will be intriguing to follow his next steps as he continues his creative journey with Dior.
