Kim Jones Named As Fendi Women's Artistic Director

This morning it was revealed that Kim Jones is joining Fendi. As the Artistic Director of womenswear, Jones will design haute couture, ready-to-wear and fur collections for the Italian house. The appointment puts the rumours to rest of who would take over from the late Karl Lagerfeld, who held the role from 1965-2019. Jones will be working closely alongside Silvia Venturini Fendi who heads up menswear and accessories, and has overseen womenswear since Lagerfeld's departure. 'With Silvia Venturini Fendi, who has virtuously carried on [the] Fendi and Karl Lagerfeld's legacy, Kim will bring his contemporary one...into the world of Fendi' said Fendi CEO Serge Brunschwig in a statement. Now heading up two LVMH owned brands, Jones will maintain his role as creative director of Dior Men's.

This is the first substantial womenswear role for Kim Jones, having last dabbled with women's on the runway when he took his final bow at Louis Vuitton men's for A/W 18, where he was flanked by supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell decked out in monogrammed trench coats. A designer whose name has become unanimous with luxury menswear and streetwear, Jones brings to Fendi his penchant for travel and collaboration, together with a sharp eye for countercultural style. The appointment suggests an effort by LVMH to make Fendi more relevant to the zeitgeist and to a growing younger demographic of luxury buyers.

Jones will make his Fendi debut for A/W 21 early next year.