Kim Jones Is Karl Lagerfeld’s Successor as Fendi’s Women’s Wear Designer
British designer Kim Jones has been finally appointed as the new artistic director of the women’s ready to wear at Fendi. Jones is set to showcase his first Fendi collection in February 2021.
The style visionary will also oversee Fendi haute couture and fur, while maintaining his artistic director post at Dior Men.
Born in London and raised in Kenya, Jones studied menswear at Central Saint Martins and launched his own fashion line in 2003. Before being a successor for Fendi, he also collaborated with other luxury brands like Louis Vuitton’s A/W2017 and Dior– taking creative direction for men’s fashion and accessories in 2018. His creations were worn by some of the biggest celebrities like Robert Pattinson, David Beckham, Rami Malek, as well as tour costumes for the biggest K-Pop boy group BTS.
Taking the position that once held by Karl Lagerfeld, being a successor is both a challenge and a responsibility for Jones. Ever since the passing of the luxury designer and fashion icon in 2019, LVMH representatives had declined to comment on who will be the designer’s successor for Fendi, as they took their time to mourn. Karl was the head of womenswear of Fendi for over 50 years.
Today, Fendi is very much looking forward to see how Jones will lead and take his creative direction in order to attract younger consumers as he was known for his mix of streetwear and high fashion.
Jones took to Instagram his gratefulness by writing, “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.”
In a statement, LVMH’s chief executive, Bernard Arnault, called Mr. Jones “a great talent,” adding that he had proved his ability to adapt to the codes of assorted LVMH houses “with great modernity and audacity.”
We can expect his first Fendi collection next year at the Milan Fashion Week.
