Inside Jonathan Anderson's remarkable rise

Extra.ie​

3 days ago

A Derry man has been appointed the new sole creative director of Dior, taking control of both the men's and women's collections as well as the accessory lines.
Jonathan Anderson was born in Magerafelt in the Northern Ireland county in 1984.
Here is everything you need to know about the Northern Irish man… Jonathan Anderson was born in Magerafelt in the Northern Ireland county in 1984. Pic:for The Met Museum/Vogue
When he was 18 years old, Jonathan made the move to the United States to pursue a career in acting, however during his time at Juilliard School he became more interest in the art of costume design.
On returning to Ireland, Jonathan got his first fashion job at a Brown Thomas store in Dublin, and later made the move to London where he graduated as part of the class of 2005 in London College of Fashion.
The Derry native worked as a visual merchandiser with Prada before launching his own label, JW Anderson, in 2008. Jonathan Anderson worked as a visual merchandiser with Prada before launching his own label, JW Anderson, in 2008. Pic:JW Anderson was well received by critics and in 2012 secured a collaboration with fashion retailer, Topshop, called JW Anderson x Topshop.
The line sold out within hours and led to a follow-up collaboration between the fashion label and shop in February 2013.
A few months later in September 2013, LVMH — who own brands including Louis Vuitton and Moet — invested a minority state in JW Anderson. Jonathan was then appointed the new creative director for LOEWE.
Earlier this year, Anderson stepped down from his role with LOEWE, giving room for him to be appointed as the artistic director of Dior menswear.
This month, Jonathan has been appointed the sole creative director across the brand. One such iconic outfit that was a creation of Jonathan's was the red outfit Rihanna donned when she performed during half-time of the 2023 Super Bowl. Pic: REX
Jonathan has dressed some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry including Beyoncé, Cate Blanchett, Daniel Craig and Zendaya.
One such iconic outfit that was a creation of Jonathan's was the red outfit Rihanna donned when she performed during half-time of the 2023 Super Bowl.
The performance double as the singer's chance to reveal she was expecting her second baby with rapper A$AP Rocky.
The Barbadian superstar donned an all-red look for her half-time performance, with a perfect baby bump visible underneath the jumpsuit she was wearing.
Anderson is the son of former rugby international, Willie Anderson, who represented Ireland from 1984 to 1990, and ex-school teacher Heather Buckley.
He has one brother, Thomas, who followed their father into professional rugby. Thomas played as a flanker for Ulster and Connacht, before hanging up his boots in 2011.
Jonathan divides his time across Paris and London, and is in a relationship with Catalan artist Pol Anglada, whose art the New Yorker previously said often appears on JW Anderson designs.