Breaking News: Fendi Names Kim Jones As Artistic Director Of Womenswear
Here’s some exciting news to help you get over that midweek slump: Fendi has just announced Kim Jones as the new artistic director of its haute couture, ready-to-wear and fur collections for women. The Englishman will work in tandem with Silvia Venturini Fendi, who will continue to helm the creation of menswear and accessories.
In another surprising twist, it appears Jones will not be leaving his post at Dior Men, but will instead hold the reins of two fashion houses at once, both of which are owned by luxury juggernaut LVMH.
“I would like to profoundly thank Monsieur [Bernard] Arnault, Pietro Beccari, Serge Brunschwig and Silvia Venturini Fendi for this incredible opportunity,” said Jones in a statement. “Working across two such prestigious houses is a true honour as a designer and to be able to join the house of Fendi as well as continuing my work at Dior Men’s is a huge privilege.”
This marks the acclaimed designer’s first real foray into womenswear — although he has reportedly harboured ambitions to venture into the field for a while now — and he follows in the footsteps of the late, great Karl Lagerfeld, who had been a figurehead at Fendi for 54 years until his tragic passing in early 2019.
“Kim Jones is a great talent and since joining, he has continuously proven his ability to adapt to the codes and heritage of the LVMH houses while revisiting them with great modernity and audacity,” said Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive officer of LVMH. “At Fendi, I am convinced that his vision and passion will highly contribute to the success of the women’s collections.”
Jones has lent his talents to a host of high-profile labels, including Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Mulberry and Dunhill, and is esteemed as one of the trailblazing forces behind the merging of streetwear, sportswear and luxury fashion. He will present his inaugural ready-to-wear collection for Fendi during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2021 next February.
Expressing her delight at her upcoming partnership with Jones, third generation scion Silvia Venturini Fendi said, “My warmest welcome to Kim, to whom I am bound by deep respect and friendship. I am looking forward to tak[ing] the Fendi universe to the next level with him.”