Business

Kim Jones Is Leaving Louis Vuitton

By Donovan | January 17, 2018 0 Comments

Louis Vuitton Spring 2018 Menswear.

PARIS — Kim Jones is set to leave French house Louis Vuitton.

The English designer will show his final collection (fall 2018 menswear) for the house tomorrow Thursday (January 18) during Paris Fashion Week.

“It has been a huge privilege to work with Kim,” said Michael Burke, Vuitton’s chairman and chief executive officer, lauding the designer’s “ability to set trends” along with his talent and determination. “All of us who have been fortunate to work with Kim wish him continued success in his next venture.”

Vuitton described Jones as “the driving force behind some of the Maison’s most successful projects and collaborations.”

In an Instagram post, Jones thanked his team and collaborators. “Thank you @louisvuitton for 7 wonderful years ! You really have been the best and I am grateful to @themarcjacobs for giving me the opportunity to be here in the first place ! I also want to thank Michael Burke for being so great and believing in me and Delphine Arnault for her support,” he wrote.

Last October 2016, DM Fashion Book reported Jones was rumored to take the helm of Versace. The Italian house held discussions to bring Jones on broad (see it here).

His name has also been floated as a contender for Burberry, which is seeking a successor to Christopher Bailey, who is to bid farewell to the British brand at the end of March.

Jones has been men’s artistic director of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton’s flagship brand since 2011.

“Kim Jones is a cosmopolitan designer and art lover, born in London in 1979. He has a Menswear MA from London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. His graduation show won high praise within the press and the industry, and John Galliano bought part of it. In 2003, he was admitted to the London Fashion Week with his menswear label, showing a blend of street style and sport fashion.”

“While still working on his own label – which he terminated a few years later – Kim Jones was also ultra-busy on a series of collaborations with Umbro, Hugo Boss, Topman and Iceberg. He was honoured at the British Fashion Awards several times, and also worked for Alexander McQueen before being called up in 2008 by Dunhill, where he became creative director, until he joined Louis Vuitton in 2011.”