Dior has appointed Jonathan Anderson, previously its menswear designer, to also lead womenswear and haute couture design, replacing Maria Grazia Chiuri and expanding his creative role as the LVMH-owned fashion house aims to boost sales, the company announced on Monday.
“Jonathan Anderson is one of the greatest creative talents of his generation. His unique artistic signature will be a key asset for writing the next chapter of the Dior house’s history,” said LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault in a statement.
The 40-year-old Irish designer was named head of Dior’s menswear in April, having been recruited from Loewe, a smaller LVMH label. Over a decade at Loewe, Anderson earned acclaim for his quirky and innovative designs, catching the attention of fashion critics worldwide.
Among his signature pieces at Loewe were baggy, barrel-legged jeans priced around 800 euros ($910) and the compact Puzzle handbag, retailing for approximately 3,000 euros.
Anderson’s departure from Loewe was announced in March. He is one of several high-profile designers recently brought in to lead major fashion houses amid a broad industry reshuffle, alongside new appointments at brands like Chanel and Gucci.
The luxury fashion sector has been grappling with a prolonged slump, impacted by China’s property market crisis and economic uncertainty in the United States. Leading brands are betting on fresh creative directions to reignite consumer interest as shoppers become more cautious amid rising prices.
In his expanded role, Anderson will succeed Maria Grazia Chiuri, 61, who joined Dior in 2016 as the label’s first female creative director. Chiuri was known for infusing feminist messages into her runway shows and reinterpreting iconic Dior styles, including the brand’s signature nipped-waist bar jackets, often blending fluidity and sporty elements with feminine gowns.
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