Louis Vuitton’s menswear director Kim Jones will leave the brand after 7 years following his Fall/Winter 2018 menswear show on Thursday, according to WWD. After launching his own label in 2003 and following a three year tenure as creative director of British luxury goods brand Alfred Dunhill, Jones joined Paris-based Louis Vuitton as its menswear director, making his debut during the Spring/Summer 2012 season. Under his watch, Louis Vuitton’s brand’s menswear division has been one to watch for everyone from classic Vuitton fans to Supreme cult followers, alike.
“It has been a huge privilege to work with Kim,” Michael Burke, Vuitton’s chairman and chief executive officer told WWD, lauding the designer’s “ability to set trends” along with his talent and determination. “All of us who have been fortunate to work with Kim wish him continued success in his next venture.”
Louis Vuitton has not named a successor and Jones has not made clear what he will do next. Rumors have been swirling, however, that Versace was looking to potentially bring Jones on board to succeed Donatella Versace as creative director. Former Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci’s name was also floated in connection with that job. WWD reports that Jones – along with Celine’s Phoebe Philo – has also been a contender for Burberry, which is seeking a successor to Christopher Bailey, who is to bid farewell to the British brand at the end of March.
Finally, Off-White creative Virgil Abloh’s name has been a topic of discussion in connection with a number of positions over the past year, and while it seemed that the lingering speculation in regards to Abloh and Vuitton had been settled when he provided a sneak-peek at what looked like a collaboration with the world’s most valuable luxury brand, that never came into fruition. Make of that what you will.
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