Jonathan Anderson, the celebrated Northern Irish designer, has been appointed creative director of both the men’s and women’s collections at Dior — marking a historic first for the French
luxury fashion house.
Anderson, 40, originally from Magherafelt in County Londonderry, takes on the expanded role just months after stepping down as creative director at Loewe, where he served for over a decade. In April, he had already been announced as Dior’s incoming artistic director for menswear. Now, following Maria Grazia Chiuri’s recent departure from the women's line, Anderson will oversee the full creative vision of the brand.
In an Instagram post, Anderson expressed his gratitude:
“It is a great honour to take on this role. I have always been inspired by the rich history of this House, its depth, and empathy. I look forward to working alongside its legendary Ateliers to craft the next chapter of this incredible story.”
His first official presentation, Dior Men Summer 2026, is set to debut at Paris Fashion Week on 27 June.
A new era at Dior
Anderson’s appointment comes amid widespread leadership changes across the fashion industry, following a series of high-profile exits. Earlier this year, British designer Kim Jones stepped down as Dior's menswear director, and Chiuri’s recent departure opened the path for Anderson to consolidate creative leadership.
Bernard Arnault, chairman of LVMH (Dior’s parent company), praised the designer as “one of the greatest creative talents of his generation,” calling his artistic voice “a crucial asset” for shaping Dior’s future.
A trailblazing career
Known for his boundary-pushing, gender-fluid aesthetic, Anderson has long been a force in modern fashion. He launched his own label, JW Anderson, in 2008 and has designed iconic looks worn by Rihanna, Ariana Grande, and Harry Styles. His designs have even found their way into the Victoria and Albert Museum, with Styles' patchwork crochet cardigan becoming a pandemic-era cultural icon.
In 2024, Anderson won Designer of the Year at the Fashion Awards — his second consecutive win. He also served as honorary chair of the 2024 Met Gala, where he designed Grande’s white ballgown.
Anderson began his fashion journey studying at the London College of Fashion and worked in Prada’s marketing department before his rapid rise as a designer. He is also the son of former Ireland rugby captain Willie Anderson.
As he steps into this groundbreaking role at Dior, the fashion world eagerly anticipates how Anderson will shape the next era of the iconic house. Photo by Frédéric BISSON from Rouen, France, Wikimedia commons.