Change is currently taking hold in the fashion world. To understand this, we need to look at the existence of these two people: Kim Jones and Virgil Abloh.
On March 19th, Kim Jones, who recently stepped down as artistic director of Louis Vuitton's men's division, was announced as the new creative director of Dior Homme.
During his seven years as designer for Louis Vuitton from 2011, Jones' achievements not only took the world by storm with his numerous striking collaborations with Supreme, Christopher Nemeth, and Hiroshi Fujiwara's Fragment Design, but also... He was instrumental in driving the fashion house's innovation forward and winning over a new fan base. He is also arguably the first designer to push fashion into new territory by establishing the new genre of "luxury streetwear."
Kim Jones
Born in London, England in 1973, Kim Jones graduated from the prestigious Central Saint Martins. He presented his first eponymous collection at London Fashion Week in September 2003, and made his Paris debut the following July 2004. While continuing his own brand until presenting his final collection in New York in February 2007, he successfully collaborated with companies such as Alexander McQueen, Umbro, and Hugo Boss, and served as creative director of the long-established British brand Dunhill for approximately three years from 2008.
In addition to being a fashion designer, he is also an art director for magazines and films, and an active conservationist. He is also known for having many friends, including Virgil Abloh, who was announced as his successor as artistic director of Louis Vuitton's men's department on March 26th.
This announcement sent shock waves through the industry. Kim Jones also posted a photo of him with Virgil on his Instagram and commented, "Congratulations to my friend Virgil!!! Love and respect." Virgil Abloh, who was in Japan for his first solo exhibition, "PAY PER VIEW," at Kaikai Kiki Gallery, headed by Takashi Murakami, also attended the opening event of KIM JONES GU PRODUCTION, demonstrating their close relationship both professionally and personally. Virgil Abloh, designer of OFF-WHITE c/o VIRGIL ABLOH™ and known as Kanye West's style director, is a one-of-a-kind leader in the streetwear scene, active as an architect, graphic designer, creative director, and DJ. His own brand is also a rare hitmaker, having successfully collaborated with numerous brands across genres, including Nike, Jimmy Choo, and IKEA.
Virgil Abloh
Born in Chicago in 1980, he earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin before going on to study at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he earned a Master of Architecture from a curriculum established by the master of modern architecture, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Here, he learned not only modernist design principles but also the concept of a multidisciplinary approach. It's surprising to learn that they've never studied fashion formally, but their exceptional talents are evident in the numerous awards they've received throughout their careers, including being finalists for the LVMH Prize, winning the Urban Luxe Award at the 2017 Fashion Awards, and being named International Designer of the Year at the 2017 GQ Men of the Year Awards.
These two multi-talented designers, each with their own unique style, express a real modernity through ideas that overturn conventional wisdom and preconceived notions. I'm sure I'm not the only one to feel that their work embodies a truly borderless world, not just lip service.
Kim Jones' debut collection for Dior Homme and Virgil Abloh's debut collection for Louis Vuitton are both scheduled to be unveiled during Men's Fashion Week in June. I can't wait to see what this breath of fresh air will bring to the world from these two leading figures in the fashion world.
On March 19th, Kim Jones, who recently stepped down as artistic director of Louis Vuitton's men's division, was announced as the new creative director of Dior Homme.
During his seven years as designer for Louis Vuitton from 2011, Jones' achievements not only took the world by storm with his numerous striking collaborations with Supreme, Christopher Nemeth, and Hiroshi Fujiwara's Fragment Design, but also... He was instrumental in driving the fashion house's innovation forward and winning over a new fan base. He is also arguably the first designer to push fashion into new territory by establishing the new genre of "luxury streetwear."
Kim JonesBorn in London, England in 1973, Kim Jones graduated from the prestigious Central Saint Martins. He presented his first eponymous collection at London Fashion Week in September 2003, and made his Paris debut the following July 2004. While continuing his own brand until presenting his final collection in New York in February 2007, he successfully collaborated with companies such as Alexander McQueen, Umbro, and Hugo Boss, and served as creative director of the long-established British brand Dunhill for approximately three years from 2008.
In addition to being a fashion designer, he is also an art director for magazines and films, and an active conservationist. He is also known for having many friends, including Virgil Abloh, who was announced as his successor as artistic director of Louis Vuitton's men's department on March 26th.
This announcement sent shock waves through the industry. Kim Jones also posted a photo of him with Virgil on his Instagram and commented, "Congratulations to my friend Virgil!!! Love and respect." Virgil Abloh, who was in Japan for his first solo exhibition, "PAY PER VIEW," at Kaikai Kiki Gallery, headed by Takashi Murakami, also attended the opening event of KIM JONES GU PRODUCTION, demonstrating their close relationship both professionally and personally. Virgil Abloh, designer of OFF-WHITE c/o VIRGIL ABLOH™ and known as Kanye West's style director, is a one-of-a-kind leader in the streetwear scene, active as an architect, graphic designer, creative director, and DJ. His own brand is also a rare hitmaker, having successfully collaborated with numerous brands across genres, including Nike, Jimmy Choo, and IKEA.
Virgil AblohBorn in Chicago in 1980, he earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin before going on to study at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he earned a Master of Architecture from a curriculum established by the master of modern architecture, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Here, he learned not only modernist design principles but also the concept of a multidisciplinary approach. It's surprising to learn that they've never studied fashion formally, but their exceptional talents are evident in the numerous awards they've received throughout their careers, including being finalists for the LVMH Prize, winning the Urban Luxe Award at the 2017 Fashion Awards, and being named International Designer of the Year at the 2017 GQ Men of the Year Awards.
These two multi-talented designers, each with their own unique style, express a real modernity through ideas that overturn conventional wisdom and preconceived notions. I'm sure I'm not the only one to feel that their work embodies a truly borderless world, not just lip service.
Kim Jones' debut collection for Dior Homme and Virgil Abloh's debut collection for Louis Vuitton are both scheduled to be unveiled during Men's Fashion Week in June. I can't wait to see what this breath of fresh air will bring to the world from these two leading figures in the fashion world.
