Kim Jones, who has established a unique position in the fashion world, has announced his departure from Fendi after four years of collaboration to focus solely on his role as the menswear designer at Dior.
On October 12, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton officially announced his resignation from Fendi. Jones, who had been serving as the artistic director for both Dior’s menswear and Fendi’s womenswear and couture, will now dedicate all his creative energy to Dior.
Jones joined Fendi in 2020, during a time when the brand was shaken by the COVID-19 pandemic and the passing of Karl Lagerfeld. His task was to breathe new life into the house, seamlessly merging Fendi’s rich history with his own contemporary, multicultural aesthetic.
Under his leadership over the past four years, Fendi’s sales skyrocketed, surpassing 2 billion euros. Jones was deeply committed to commercial success, designing real clothes that appealed to a wide range of customers. His design philosophy centered on creating pieces that his friends and fashion icons would say, “I want that!”—a vision that guided his work.
One of the highlights of his career at Fendi was the 2021 collaboration with Donatella Versace, which led to the creation of “Fendace.” This creative swap shocked the fashion world, making waves across pop-up shops and online platforms. Additionally, Jones worked on collaborations with Marc Jacobs and Tiffany & Co., consistently pushing the boundaries of creativity.
However, not all of his projects were met with unanimous praise. Some initiatives at Fendi stirred internal debates at LVMH, revealing differing perspectives on Jones’ creative challenges. Despite this, he continued to forge ahead, bringing bold and fresh ideas to the table.
Following Jones’ departure, speculation is rife about who will succeed him at Fendi. For now, no successor has been announced, with the company only stating that “a new creative organization for Fendi will be announced in due time.” According to industry sources, former Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli is among the candidates, signaling that creative transformation is far from over and could stir further waves in the luxury market.
In a statement, LVMH praised Jones, saying, “Kim Jones made 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, hailed Jones as “a highly talented designer who has brought his unique and multicultural vision to Fendi over the past four years. I would like to thank him for his contribution and look forward to continuing to witness his creativity for Dior Men’s.”
Jones’ four years at Fendi represented a period of deep significance, not just for fashion design, but for bridging the house’s history with its future. As he turns his focus to Dior, the fashion world eagerly awaits how his creativity and passion will continue to evolve.