Dior announced today that Kim Jones will step down as artistic director of menswear, concluding a transformative six-year tenure. The British designer, who joined the French luxury house in 2018, has been celebrated for revitalizing Dior Men through bold artistic collaborations and a modern reinterpretation of its heritage.
In a statement, Dior CEO Delphine Arnault praised Jones’ contributions: “I am extremely grateful for the remarkable work done by Kim Jones, his studio, and the ateliers. With all his talent and creativity, he has constantly reinterpreted the house’s heritage with genuine freedom of tone and surprising, highly desirable artistic collaborations.”
Jones echoed gratitude for his time at Dior, stating: “It was a true honour to have been able to create my collections within the House of Dior, a symbol of absolute excellence. I express my deep gratitude to my studio and the ateliers who have accompanied me on this wonderful journey… I feel sincere gratitude towards Bernard and Delphine Arnault, who have given me their full support.”
His final show for the house, held just days before the announcement, was met with critical acclaim and marked by a personal milestone. Jones was knighted as a chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest honor, in a Paris ceremony led by Anna Wintour. Attendees included fashion icons and celebrities such as Gwendoline Christie, Robert Pattinson, and designer Rick Owens. Wintour highlighted Jones’ “voracious lust for knowledge and a curiosity that’s astounding,” drawing parallels to his predecessor Karl Lagerfeld, whom Jones succeeded at Fendi in 2020.
Jones’ career has been defined by groundbreaking collaborations. At Louis Vuitton (2011–2018), his 2017 partnership with Supreme redefined luxury streetwear. “We raised [streetwear] up to something that was very luxurious,”. At Dior, he continued this ethos, working with artists like KAWS and Daniel Arsham, as well as designers Shawn Stussy and Eli Russell Linnetz. Wintour noted, “Everything is togetherness: supporting, collaborating, lifting up… He has… happily shared the spotlight with others.”
Under Jones’ leadership, Dior Men solidified its position in a competitive market. HSBC estimates Christian Dior Couture’s 2024 sales reached €8.7 billion, with menswear remaining resilient amid economic challenges.
As speculation mounts about Jones’ next move, the designer hinted at potential future ventures during a recent interview. “If I did it, I’d do it in a very different way. It’d be a complete lifestyle. It wouldn’t be just clothing. The things that people are really looking to spend money on is their home and travel,” he shared, leaving the industry eagerly awaiting his next chapter.
With an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II and now France’s Legion of Honor, Jones’ legacy as a bridge between streetwear and high fashion—and a champion of creative collaboration—remains unmatched. The fashion world watches closely to see where his visionary spirit will lead next.