The British designer Kim Jones is leaving Fendi and will now concentrate fully on his role of artistic director at Dior men's, where he's worked since 2018. Jones was in charge of the design of womenswear ready-to-wear, fur (with a recycled approach) and couture for the Italian fashion house since 2020 succeeding the late Karl Lagerfeld. Silvia Venturini Fendi will continue her role as creative director of accessories, men’s and childrenswear, while her daughter Delfina Delettrez will continue to design jewellery.

“Kim Jones is a highly talented designer who has brought his unique and multicultural vision to Fendi over the past four years. I would like to thank him for his contribution and look forward to continuing to witness his creativity at Dior Men’s,” said Bernard Arnault, chairman and ceo of LVMH, in a statement.

LVMH purchased a stake in Fendi from the Fendi family in 1999, before becoming the brand’s sole owner in 2001. Kim Jones made significant contributions to the brand's creative legacy, seamlessly integrating his modern and cross-cultural aesthetics with Fendi’s historical heritage. Under his leadership, the Maison reinvented its ready-to-wear and couture collections, offering an inclusive and innovative approach to fashion that constantly renewed Fendi's Italian codes. Throughout his four years, Jones' work was wholly guided by passion and creativity.

Prior to this, Jones was artistic director of Louis Vuitton Men's from 2011 to 2018, where he radically transformed the brand's image, attracting a new generation of customers.

Fendi and Vuitton are brands of the LVMH group. According to HSBC estimates, with approximately 2.44 billion in revenues, Fendi is the fourth fashion brand in the group, after Louis Vuitton, Dior and Celine

A new creative configuration at Fendi will be announced in due time, the statement read. According to sources close to the company, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Valentino's former creative director, is in pole position to replace Jones at the Roman maison, which in 2025 will celebrate its first 100 anniversary.

Photo by Alasdair McLellan