After an 11-year run, Jonathan Anderson is leaving Loewe.
The house said on Monday it experienced “exceptional growth” under his direction and, according to chief executive officer Pascale Lepoivre, “has risen to new heights with international recognition”.
“While reflecting on the last 11 years, I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by people with the imagination, the skills, the tenacity and the resourcefulness to find a way to say ‘yes’ to all my wildly ambitious ideas,” Anderson said in a statement. ‘While my chapter draws to a close, Loewe’s story will continue for many years to come, and I will look on with pride, watching it continue to grow, the amazing Spanish brand I once called home.”
Sidney Toledano, adviser to LVMH chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault considers Anderson “to be amongst the very best”.
“What he has contributed to Loewe goes beyond creativity. He has built a rich and eclectic world with strong foundations in craft which will enable the house to thrive long after his departure,” Toledano said.
The announcement comes after Loewe’s co-ed presentation took place on 10 March. “If the Loewe show was sorely missed in Paris this season, the lasting impression of walking through this exhibition was of just how much fun Anderson has had,” wrote Vogue Runway’s Sarah Mower. Since the day before his presentation, Anderson has shared a number of retrospective posts on his personal Instagram account that many read as a goodbye to Loewe.
At Loewe’s standout show during Paris Fashion Week last September, Anderson received a standing ovation from many of his peers (Sarah Burton, Pieter Mulier, Adrian Appiolaza, Nicolas Di Felice and Kris Van Assche all attended) as well as Delphine Arnault and actors Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Greta Lee, Ayo Edebiri and Rob Lowe). The set for the show featured a sculpture by Tracey Emin — a pole with a bird perched on top. According to the press release, the bird is “caught in a moment of pause, she encourages us to imagine imminent flight, and ultimately its freedom”.
The Northern Irish designer was appointed creative director of the LVMH-owned Spanish luxury house in September 2013. Anderson created his namesake brand JW Anderson in 2008 and caught the attention of Sophie Brocart, senior vice president of LVMH fashion ventures at the time — notably with his Autumn/Winter 2013 menswear collection. It was the founding collection of his “shared wardrobe” approach, based on the idea that men could pick and choose from women’s wardrobes, just as women have long been able to do from those of men’s.
