It’s official. Kim Jones is leaving Fendi. But staying on at Dior Men

Breaking News. It’s official. After months of rumors Kim Jones is leaving Fendi, after a four-year stint at the Rome-based fashion house. But he will remain designer of Dior Men.

The news was announced Friday evening in a release by LVMH, the French conglomerate that owns Fendi.
 
“Kim Jones and Fendi jointly announce today that Mr. Jones is stepping down from his role as Artistic Director of womenswear and couture at Fendi. Mr. Jones will now concentrate fully on his role of Artistic Director at Dior Men’s,” LVMH said in a terse statement.

LVMH did not name a successor. But stated: “A new creative organization for Fendi will be announced in due time.”
 
Jones departure had been expected for much of the past year. Though a highly talented designer in menswear – especially at Dior – he never quite made a complete transition to women’s wear at Fendi, never mind to its couture. During his tenure in Rome, Silvia Fendi, a scion of the founding family, continued to design Fendi menswear, often garnering more positive reviews.

Addressing the departure, Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH, said: “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 for Dior Men’s”. 
 
There was no statement from Jones, who staged his final show in Milan on Tuesday, September 17, ironically his most applauded collection to date for Fendi.

Jones took over at Fendi in September 2020, following the death of Karl Lagerfeld, albeit with an 18 month hiatus. 

“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,” LVMH continued.
 
Fendi thanks Mr. Jones for his inspiring vision and wishes him every success in his ongoing endeavors with Dior Men’s, it added
 
Speculation will be intense as to who will succeed Jones in one of the most coveted jobs in fashion and luxury.