The Devil Wears Dior
At only 41 years old, Jonathan Anderson has reshaped the luxury fashion industry with a creative vision unlike any other. Described by The Times as “fashion’s most powerful man”, his journey began far from the runway, as he initially pursued a degree in acting from the Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C. before a special interest in costume design led Anderson to the London College of Fashion. After graduating in 2005, he took off to work as a visual merchandiser for Prada, an experience that sharpened his eye for craftsmanship and narrative. That cinematic sensibility would later carry into his work with Hollywood, where Anderson designed costumes for films like Challengers and Queer, blending fashion’s theatricality with on-screen storytelling in a way few designers could. By 2008, Anderson launched his career as a menswear designer under his JW Anderson label. In 2013, following a string of acclaimed collaborations with brands like Versus Versace and Topshop, LVMH acquired a stake in the brand and appointed him creative director of Spanish house Loewe. Over the next decade, Loewe’s revenue quadrupled, a success undoubtedly credited to Anderson’s visionary leadership. In May 2025, after 11 years at Loewe, Jonathan Anderson was selected as the new creative director of Dior, one of fashion’s most prestigious roles, succeeding the iconic Italian designer Maria Grazia Chiuri. As he closes in on six months in the position, Anderson has committed himself to excellence in all aspects of his work.
Known for his innovative and conceptual approach to creating incredibly influential pieces, Anderson strives to create beauty in breaking industry norms while reaffirming fashion’s artistic value. His efforts to mold timeless articles with fun, spontaneous twists challenge convention and contribute to a broader redefinition of modern luxury. Anderson’s work has won him various awards over the years, including “Designer of the Year” at The Fashion Awards—for two consecutive years—for his creative direction of both JW Anderson and Loewe. Since the wild success of his first Dior menswear debut on June 27, 2025, Anderson has only continued to stun audiences, which, considering his deep passion for fashion, is far from surprising.
Widely acclaimed in every area, especially for his accessories, Anderson recently unveiled what the fashion world had been eagerly anticipating: his Dior womenswear collection, which debuted on October 1, 2025, during Paris Fashion Week. Someone once said “You can always tell when a designer loves women”, and Anderson’s collection made that sentiment ring true yet again. Every look felt considered—through a combination of sharp tailoring and fluid lines, structured leather and soft silks, it was a collection that celebrated a new beginning while still honoring Dior’s legacy. Anderson has also been showcasing a strong sense of nostalgic wistfulness in his pieces, such as his new rendition of the classic Dior book tote featuring imagery of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” from Eric Carle’s bestselling children’s book for Pre-Fall 2026. This signals a new chapter for the luxury brand—one that looks forward with revitalized beauty and unconventional confidence. The accompanying photoshoot was captured inside of an antique caboose at the Benjamin Knox gallery, a setting that evoked Dior’s timeless grace through its vintage charm. Models wore pieces curated to reflect Dior’s signature elegance and classic codes to balance reverence with sophistication, just as Anderson has been.
As Anderson’s career continues to soar, speculation swirls about what comes next. How will he continue to expand and refine his vision for Dior, all while running JW Anderson, collaborating with other fashion brands (such as his recent Fall 2025 Uniqlo x JW Anderson drop), costume designing in Hollywood, and more? The opportunities are endless. Audiences are already gearing up for his first Haute Couture collection for Dior, rumored to be presented in January 2026. Wildly ambitious and expertly skilled, it’s safe to say that Anderson only has success in his future, especially in his new creative direction role. After all, the devil may have begun his career at Prada… but these days, he’s dressed in Dior.
Written by Lillian Glassmoyer, Photography: Shivank Rana, Design: Rutuja Wadekar, Social Media: Veronica Pro, Styling: Nikolai Steen & Derrick Ayala, Event: Kaila Tindall