Jonathan Anderson: Northern IRE becomes the new creative director of Dior

What a sensation in the fashion world: Jonathan Anderson (40) writes history at Dior. The Northern Irish designer will be the first creative director since company founder Christian Dior himself to take over the complete creative control over the French luxury label. In the future, both the women’s and the men’s collection and the Haute Couture will fall into its area of ​​responsibility.

“It is a great honor to join the Dior Dior as creative director of both the women’s and the men’s collection,” said Anderson. “I’ve always been inspired by the rich history of this house, its depth and empathy.”

Delphine Arnault, CEO of Dior, raves about her new commitment: She described Anderson as “the most talented designer of his generation”. Industry insiders have been comparing it to Karl Lagerfeld for a long time. Bernard Arnault, head of the luxury group LVMH and Dior’s parent company, praised Anderson as “one of the greatest creative talents of his generation”.

The 40-year-old Jonathan Anderson from Magherafelt in Northern Irish in the county of Londonderry has an impressive career. After studying at London College of Fashion, he started in the Prada marketing department before founding his own JW Anderson brand in 2008. In 2013 he became creative director at Loewe, the Spanish leather goods brand.

Anderson is the son of the former Irish rugby captain Willie Anderson and has long since made a name for himself as an innovator. His colorful patchwork knitting sweater, which Harry Styles wore, went viral during the Corona pandemic and was even included in the fashion collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

His creations speak for himself: in 2023 Anderson designed the outfit with which Rihanna announced her pregnancy during the Super Bowl half-time show. A year later he created Ariana Grandes Breathtaking Met Gala Robe. Anderson has already won the “Designer of the Year” Award at the Fashion Awards twice in a row.

Anderson takes over the women’s fashion collection from Maria Grazia Chiuri, who announced her farewell at Dior after almost a decade at Dior. In January, British designer Kim Jones had already given up his post as creative director for Dior’s men’s fashion.

Anderson will present his first collection, “Dior Men Summer 2026”, on June 27th during the Paris Fashion Week. His women’s fashion collection is scheduled to follow this year. “I look forward to working with the legendary studios to write the next chapter of this incredible story,” promises the new Dior creative director.