Latest news with #ChristianDiorCouture
NDTV
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Jonathan Anderson Becomes Dior's Sole Creative Director Since Founder Christian Dior
In a historic move, luxury label Dior has appointed Jonathan Anderson as the head of creation, for both its womenswear and menswear collection. The 40-year-old designer will be the first person since Christian Dior himself to oversee all facets of the brand, including haute couture. Anderson, who was named the artistic director of Dior menswear in April, is now set to take full creative creative control. He has been appointed the sole director of Dior following the departure of Maria Grazia Chiuri after her nine-year tenure as the Creative Director of the luxury brand. The announcement comes shortly after Anderson's exit from the Spanish luxury brand Loewe, where he served as creative director for over eleven years, earning widespread acclaim for his innovative and often avant-garde aesthetic. Delphine Arnault, the chair and CEO of Christian Dior Couture, described Anderson as "the most talented designer of his generation", in an interview with Vogue Business. In a statement on Instagram, Dior said: "For the first time at Christian Dior Couture, since Monsieur Dior, a creative director will work on all the women's, men's, and haute couture collections, further strengthening its global creative vision." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dior Official (@dior) Anderson expressed his excitement in a statement: "It is a great honour to join the House of Dior. I look forward to working alongside its legendary Ateliers to craft the next chapter of this incredible story." Anderson is set to debut his first collection, Dior Men Summer 2026, during Paris Fashion Week on June 27. This marks one of the biggest transitions in fashion this year, with many fashion critics believing that Jonathan Anderson's dual role at Dior could redefine the redefine the future of creative leadership in luxury fashion.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Jonathan Anderson: the esoteric designer taking on the mantle at Dior
Long before the designer Jonathan Anderson stepped down from his role at Loewe in March, it was rumoured he would be heading for Dior. So when it was finally announced – six months after Dior's menswear designer left, and four days after its womenswear head, Maria Grazia Chiuri, showed a collection in Rome – it surprised no one. Yet Anderson's newfound position at luxury's centre of gravity still sets Dior, a grand fashion institution, careering down an experimental path. As Delphine Arnault, the chair and CEO of Christian Dior Couture, told Vogue Business: 'For any house, having new artistic direction can be a challenge.' A critical darling and commercial success, Anderson made Loewe into a fashion week hype machine and Hollywood powerhouse while creating shoes with perspex cracked eggs for heels, art-directing Daniel Craig's post-Bond relaunch in specs and quirky knits, and casting the late Dame Maggie Smith as a model in an advertising campaign at the age of 88. Anderson's role at Loewe was also lucrative. Since he took over, the brand's annual revenues increased fivefold. With the move to Dior he will now probably become the most prolific designer in fashion; assuming he continues to work on his own brand (JW Anderson), as well as his collaboration with Uniqlo, it is expected he will show 18 collections a year. The world of high fashion is a long way from Anderson's early days in Northern Ireland. He was born in 1984 in Magherafelt, a town otherwise famous for cropping up in Seamus Heaney's early work, and went to school during the Troubles. Raised Protestant, he has spoken in the past about passing through checkpoints on his way to school. 'It does make you quite hard because emotionally you were toughened by that,' he recently told New York Magazine. Anderson's father, Willie, was captain of the Ireland rugby team, and something of a character; in 1980, he spent three months in an Argentininan prison for stealing the national flag from outside a government building while on tour. Anderson's mother, Heather, was an English teacher. As parents, they were wholly supportive of his career. 'You'll do anything for your kid if you believe their dream is not something that's beyond them,' said his father, adding that they 're-mortgaged the house to try and get him through certain points'. Anderson left home aged 18 to study acting in Washington DC, but changed his mind, returning home to work in the Dublin department store Brown Thomas. It was around this time he got into fashion, though he was turned down by every school he applied to except the London College of Fashion, which was piloting a new menswear course. He went on to launch his namesake brand JW Anderson in 2008. LVMH took a minority stake in the brand in 2013, and Anderson worked at Loewe from 2013 until spring this year. One of a new raft of power designers to share an art-college enthusiasm for avant-garde projects, he was never a designer in the pure 'cutting and draping' sense (though he completed his degree), relating more to Miuccia Prada, who studied political science before going into fashion. Anderson's arrival at Dior is part of a changing of the guard at leading houses that in recent months has seen Chanel appoint the French-Belgian designer Matthieu Blazy and Gucci sign the Georgian fashion designer Demna. Dior's announcement is the latest move in a frenzied round of musical chairs at fashion's top table, the impact of which will be seen at fashion weeks in the second half of 2025. An immediate consequence of the recent personnel changes has been a rollback of female representation in fashion's most prestigious roles. Anderson replaces Chiuri, Dior's first female designer, who modernised the ladylike codes of the house while supporting and referencing a range of female artisans and artists. She became well-liked for attempting – however clumsily with her 'We should all be feminists' T-shirts – to use her might and financial power to modernise feminism in fashion. With the exception of the appointments of two British female designers – Sarah Burton at Givenchy, and Louise Trotter, who replaces Blazy at Bottega Veneta – the incoming class of designers is overwhelmingly male. Still, as far as the male gaze is concerned, Anderson is well known for covering up the wearer's body, albeit with anthuriums and deflated balloons as well as actual clothes. He created Rihanna's bump-shaped red leather corset worn at the 2023 Super Bowl for an internet-breaking pregnancy reveal, and collaborated with the sculptor Lynda Benglis on a stage set that turned a Paris show space into a gallery. He also launched the most in-demand handbag of modern times, the Puzzle bag, and has dressed Beyoncé, Zendaya and Greta Lee. Anderson's references have always come from outside the fashion world, namely craft, surrealism and cultural history (one JW Anderson show was inspired by Rasputin gone skiing). As a result, the traditional narrative – in which young designers opt into commercial success by bending their taste toward the mainstream – has so far failed to apply in the case of Anderson, who has become more avant garde rather than less as his career has progressed. Yet however esoteric his designs, Anderson's appointment suggests the mega-conglomerate LVMH is valuing creativity over celebrity. As Arnault said: 'I think this is going to be great for the maison. There will be consistency and coherence in the products, but also in terms of communication, I think our message will be much clearer.' The idea is that Anderson will bring some of his own team and hopefully, his customers will follow suit. Whatever the hype surrounding his appointment, he is still tasked with turning around the fortunes of Dior, which saw sales decrease from €9.5bn in 2023 to €8.7bn in 2024, per an HSBC estimate. But as Arnault has said: 'It takes a few seasons to see exactly what the vision is. But I think he's totally energised by the idea.'
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Dior appoints Jonathan Anderson creative director of womenswear, menswear and haute couture collections
Dior has appointed Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson as its new creative director, giving him full creative control over women's, men's, and haute couture collections—a historic first since the house's founder, Christian Dior. Dior is thrilled to welcome Jonathan Anderson, a visionary creator with a remarkable career, as Creative Director of women's, men's, and haute couture collections of the House. For the first time at Christian Dior Couture, since Monsieur Dior, a Creative Director will work on… — Dior (@Dior) June 2, 2025 Anderson, 40, becomes the first designer to oversee all divisions of the fashion house. Delphine Arnault, chair and CEO of Dior, called him 'the most talented designer of his generation.' His appointment marks a bold new direction for the storied brand, echoing the influence of Karl Lagerfeld, to whom Anderson is often compared. 'It is a great honour to join the house of Dior as creative director of both women's and men's collections,' Anderson said in a statement. 'I have always been inspired by the rich history of this house, its depth, and empathy. I look forward to working alongside its legendary ateliers to craft the next chapter of this incredible story.' The appointment follows an earlier announcement in April that Anderson would lead Dior's menswear. It also coincides with the departure of Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior's womenswear creative director, who concluded her tenure with a show in Rome last week. Dior confirmed the change on Instagram, noting that for the first time since Christian Dior, one creative director will oversee all collections. To signal the transition, Dior will skip the upcoming haute couture shows in July—an unprecedented move in its 78-year history. Anderson rose to prominence through his transformation of the Spanish label Loewe and high-profile designs for Rihanna, Ariana Grande, and Harry Styles. His appointment reflects Dior's confidence in his vision and marks a shift toward a more unified and innovative approach under the LVMH umbrella. Delphine Arnault said, 'I am convinced he will bring a creative and modern vision to our house, inspired by the fabulous story of Monsieur Dior.'
Fibre2Fashion
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fibre2Fashion
Jonathan Anderson named creative director of French label Dior
Christian Dior Couture has announced the appointment of Jonathan Anderson as the new creative director overseeing women's, men's, and haute couture collections. This marks the first time since Monsieur Dior that a single designer will lead all creative lines of the House. Jonathan Anderson has been appointed creative director of Christian Dior Couture, overseeing women's, men's, and haute couture collectionsâ€'marking a first since Monsieur Dior. He succeeds Maria Grazia Chiuri. His debut, Dior Men Summer 2026, will show on June 27, 2025. Anderson praised Dior's rich history and expressed excitement to lead its next chapter. Jonathan Anderson brings a visionary approach honed through over a decade with the LVMH group. His debut collection, Dior Men Summer 2026, will be presented in Paris on June 27, 2025, the group said in a social media post. 'I am delighted to welcome Jonathan Anderson... I am convinced that he will bring a creative and modern vision to our House, inspired by the fabulous story of Monsieur Dior and the codes he created. He will be supported by our teams and our incredible Ateliers who will bring his creativity to life," said Delphine Arnault, chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture. "Jonathan Anderson is one of the greatest creative talents of his generation. His incomparable artistic signature will be a crucial asset in writing the next chapter of the history of the House of Dior," Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of LVMH, said. Anderson succeeds Maria Grazia Chiuri, who is stepping down after a transformative nine-year tenure. Chiuri was the first woman to lead Dior's women's collections and infused the brand with a powerful feminist ethos. "It is a great honour to join the House of Dior as creative director of both Women's and Men's collections. I have always been inspired by the rich history of this House, its depth, and empathy. I look forward to working alongside its legendary Ateliers to craft the next chapter of this incredible story. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Delphine Arnault and Bernard Arnault for their trust and loyalty over the years," Jonathan Anderson added. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Maria Grazia Chiuri bids farewell to Dior after nine transformative years
The fashion world is witnessing a major changing of the guard: Maria Grazia Chiuri, the first woman to lead Christian Dior's women's collections, is stepping down after nearly a decade at the helm of the French luxury house. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In an official statement released on Thursday, Dior confirmed her departure: 'Christian Dior Couture announces that Maria Grazia Chiuri has decided to leave her position as creative director of women's haute couture, ready-to-wear and accessories collections.' Chiuri's exit marks the end of an influential chapter for Dior, one defined by bold feminist messaging, cross-cultural collaborations, and commercial success. During her nine-year tenure, Chiuri not only reimagined the house codes with a fresh female gaze but also made history as the first woman ever appointed to the role since Christian Dior founded the maison in 1947. Delphine Arnault, chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture, paid tribute to Chiuri's trailblazing legacy: 'Since joining Dior, Maria Grazia has delivered exceptional work with a deeply inspiring feminist vision, all while honouring the spirit of Monsieur Dior. Her collections have captured imagination and driven remarkable growth for the house.' Chiuri, in turn, expressed gratitude to the team that supported her journey: 'I thank Monsieur Arnault for his trust and Delphine for her constant support. Above all, I'm proud of the extraordinary work done with the ateliers and my team. Together, we created a fashion language rooted in empowerment, in dialogue with women artists across generations. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This has been an unforgettable chapter.' FILE - Italian fashion designer Maria Grazia Chiuri is photographed at the Dior Fall/Winter 2025-2026 Womenswear collection presented, March 4, 2025. in Paris. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP, file) A successor has yet to be announced, leaving the fashion world abuzz with speculation. The announcement follows the recent appointment of Jonathan Anderson as artistic director for Dior Men, replacing Kim Jones earlier this year. Chiuri's impact on Dior can't be overstated. When she joined the house in 2016, she already brought with her decades of experience, beginning her career in 1989 at Fendi as a handbag designer, then moving to Valentino in 1999, eventually rising to co-creative director alongside Pierpaolo Piccioli in 2008. Her debut Dior collection for Spring/Summer 2017 signalled a new direction, notably featuring slogan T-shirts emblazoned with 'We Should All Be Feminists', a reference to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's essay. This bold move set the tone for what would become a signature: collections that centred women and celebrated their strength, stories, and artistry. Throughout her Dior years, Chiuri brought in the voices and visions of female artists to enrich her runway storytelling. From Judy Chicago's immersive installations to collaborations with Faith Ringgold, Eva Jospin, and Mickalene Thomas, the designer ensured that art and fashion walked hand in hand. One of her more theatrical moments came in the Spring/Summer 2025 show, when Italian artist and archer Sagg Napoli fired arrows on set as models walked, a fitting metaphor for Chiuri's powerful aim. Her tenure also spanned ambitious runway shows across the globe - from Mumbai, which honoured the artistry of Indian craftspeople, to Kyoto, which drew on Japanese tradition. These shows weren't just visually compelling; they were commercially effective. Under her leadership, Dior's couture division saw sales soar from €2.2 billion in 2017 to €9.5 billion in 2023, according to HSBC. However, like the broader luxury market, Dior has begun to feel the slowdown. Sales dipped to €8.7 billion in 2024, with LVMH's fashion and leather goods division reporting a 5% drop in Q1 2025. Amid this evolving landscape, Dior recently strengthened its executive team, appointing Benedetta Petruzzo as managing director in October and naming Pierre-Emmanuel Angeloglou deputy CEO in April, both reporting to Delphine Arnault. Outside the fashion world, Chiuri has also turned her attention to personal projects. Most notably, she has been restoring Rome's historic Teatro della Cometa, revealing her commitment to cultural preservation and storytelling in every form. Her final bow came earlier this week at the Dior Resort 2026 show, a poignant farewell to the house she helped reimagine for a new generation.
