Kim Jones knighted: Dior’s British designer makes history at Paris Fashion Week
Soror Shaiza | Jan 25, 2025, 00:47 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Kim Jones took the crown at Paris Fashion Week, not only unveiling Dior's latest menswear collection, but also earning France’s top honor, the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur. As rumors swirl about his next move, will he stay at Dior, or is a new fashion empire on the horizon?
A Knight to Remember: Kim Jones Receives France's Highest Honor
On Friday afternoon, Kim Jones became more than just a celebrated designer—he became a knight. Yes, a knight.
The British artistic director of Dior was honored with the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur by none other than Anna Wintour herself. It is the type of moment that even the best of industry insiders stop and say, "Wow, this is big." While usually an honorary title reserved for such who made contributions that were beyond remarkable in that field, here was Jones breezing into the award-giving ceremony with that motley band of fashion luminaries perched on Paris Fashion Week and accepting the award for effortlessly bridging the divide between British sensibility and French style. The audience was ecstatic and the timing impeccable-his newly released Dior collection was just about to hog the limelight. From one moment to another, he couldn't help but radiate, remaining himself with a muted formality of thanks that flew in the face of the event's pomp. .
While the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur itself was the highlight of the day, it’s hard to ignore the fashion-world frenzy it sparked. Kim Jones, a designer renowned for his ability to mix high culture with streetwear influence, has made waves since taking the reins at Dior’s menswear division six years ago. Under his direction, Dior has evolved into an influential powerhouse, known for blending classic elegance with modern, bold design. This knighthood was simply the latest chapter in his already illustrious career—a career that might have even more exciting turns ahead.
Menswear, But Make It Casanova: Jones’ Latest Collection Pushes Boundaries
If Kim Jones’ collection for Dior was anything, it was daring. Taking inspiration from 18th-century Italian lover and writer Casanova, Jones explored themes of love, excess, and subversion with a twist. His collection blurred the lines between masculinity and femininity, using gender fluidity as its central theme. In a runway show where high-fashion meets historical reinvention, Jones took elements typically associated with women’s clothing—think pink, sparkling fabrics, bows, and boat necklines—and reinterpreted them for men. It was bold, it was elegant, and it was unapologetically gender-fluid. Casanova may have been famous for his numerous romantic entanglements, but Jones used him as a muse to examine much larger questions of identity and expression.
Models walked the runway in glimmering pink coats, adorned with intricate diamantes, and long skirts that flowed with the same grace as any haute couture dress you'd find in a women’s collection. These pieces were undeniably masculine in their craftsmanship and structure but challenged traditional gender expectations, making a statement about the future of fashion. As Jones explained, it was about embracing the “mix of the masculine and the feminine” while celebrating the opulent excesses of the 18th century—a playful but refined exploration of what it means to dress extravagantly in today’s world. The show was a celebration of individuality, and if the applause was any indication, it resonated deeply with both critics and attendees alike. Gender boundaries in fashion, it seems, are being rewritten—one glittering pink coat at a time.
The Rumor Mill: Will Kim Jones Stay at Dior, or Will He Move On?
As one chapter ends, another one begins—or so they say in the fashion world. While Kim Jones’ knighthood is certainly a career milestone, speculation about his future is already running rampant. Just a few months ago, Jones announced he would be stepping down from his role at Fendi, where he’d been designing womenswear and couture. With the fashion world always on the lookout for its next big move, it didn’t take long for whispers about his next career step to start swirling. Could Jones be eyeing another powerhouse brand? Burberry seems like a natural fit—its current artistic direction under Daniel Lee has yet to make waves, and Jones’ talent for rebranding luxury labels could be just what the brand needs. His name has also popped up in conversations surrounding Gucci and Margiela, with insiders suggesting that Jones could bring the same magic he worked at Dior to one of these top-tier labels. After all, his ability to marry tradition with contemporary flair has made him one of the most sought-after designers in the industry.
However, there’s a catch: Jones is very much tied to Dior, a label that falls under the umbrella of LVMH, and the conglomerate likely has no intention of letting him go easily. Still, if the rumors are true and a move to another house is in his future, the fashion world will be watching closely. With so much at stake, one thing is certain: whether he stays or goes, Kim Jones’ next step will be one of the biggest stories in fashion.
In the world of high fashion, where innovation and intrigue are ever-present, Kim Jones continues to be a figure to watch. The future is wide open, and his next move—whether staying at Dior or venturing into new territory—will undoubtedly shape the next era of luxury fashion. The knighted designer has more than earned his place at the top. Now, we wait to see what he’ll do next.
On Friday afternoon, Kim Jones became more than just a celebrated designer—he became a knight. Yes, a knight.
The British artistic director of Dior was honored with the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur by none other than Anna Wintour herself. It is the type of moment that even the best of industry insiders stop and say, "Wow, this is big." While usually an honorary title reserved for such who made contributions that were beyond remarkable in that field, here was Jones breezing into the award-giving ceremony with that motley band of fashion luminaries perched on Paris Fashion Week and accepting the award for effortlessly bridging the divide between British sensibility and French style. The audience was ecstatic and the timing impeccable-his newly released Dior collection was just about to hog the limelight. From one moment to another, he couldn't help but radiate, remaining himself with a muted formality of thanks that flew in the face of the event's pomp. .
While the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur itself was the highlight of the day, it’s hard to ignore the fashion-world frenzy it sparked. Kim Jones, a designer renowned for his ability to mix high culture with streetwear influence, has made waves since taking the reins at Dior’s menswear division six years ago. Under his direction, Dior has evolved into an influential powerhouse, known for blending classic elegance with modern, bold design. This knighthood was simply the latest chapter in his already illustrious career—a career that might have even more exciting turns ahead.
Menswear, But Make It Casanova: Jones’ Latest Collection Pushes Boundaries
If Kim Jones’ collection for Dior was anything, it was daring. Taking inspiration from 18th-century Italian lover and writer Casanova, Jones explored themes of love, excess, and subversion with a twist. His collection blurred the lines between masculinity and femininity, using gender fluidity as its central theme. In a runway show where high-fashion meets historical reinvention, Jones took elements typically associated with women’s clothing—think pink, sparkling fabrics, bows, and boat necklines—and reinterpreted them for men. It was bold, it was elegant, and it was unapologetically gender-fluid. Casanova may have been famous for his numerous romantic entanglements, but Jones used him as a muse to examine much larger questions of identity and expression.
Models walked the runway in glimmering pink coats, adorned with intricate diamantes, and long skirts that flowed with the same grace as any haute couture dress you'd find in a women’s collection. These pieces were undeniably masculine in their craftsmanship and structure but challenged traditional gender expectations, making a statement about the future of fashion. As Jones explained, it was about embracing the “mix of the masculine and the feminine” while celebrating the opulent excesses of the 18th century—a playful but refined exploration of what it means to dress extravagantly in today’s world. The show was a celebration of individuality, and if the applause was any indication, it resonated deeply with both critics and attendees alike. Gender boundaries in fashion, it seems, are being rewritten—one glittering pink coat at a time.
The Rumor Mill: Will Kim Jones Stay at Dior, or Will He Move On?
As one chapter ends, another one begins—or so they say in the fashion world. While Kim Jones’ knighthood is certainly a career milestone, speculation about his future is already running rampant. Just a few months ago, Jones announced he would be stepping down from his role at Fendi, where he’d been designing womenswear and couture. With the fashion world always on the lookout for its next big move, it didn’t take long for whispers about his next career step to start swirling. Could Jones be eyeing another powerhouse brand? Burberry seems like a natural fit—its current artistic direction under Daniel Lee has yet to make waves, and Jones’ talent for rebranding luxury labels could be just what the brand needs. His name has also popped up in conversations surrounding Gucci and Margiela, with insiders suggesting that Jones could bring the same magic he worked at Dior to one of these top-tier labels. After all, his ability to marry tradition with contemporary flair has made him one of the most sought-after designers in the industry.
However, there’s a catch: Jones is very much tied to Dior, a label that falls under the umbrella of LVMH, and the conglomerate likely has no intention of letting him go easily. Still, if the rumors are true and a move to another house is in his future, the fashion world will be watching closely. With so much at stake, one thing is certain: whether he stays or goes, Kim Jones’ next step will be one of the biggest stories in fashion.
In the world of high fashion, where innovation and intrigue are ever-present, Kim Jones continues to be a figure to watch. The future is wide open, and his next move—whether staying at Dior or venturing into new territory—will undoubtedly shape the next era of luxury fashion. The knighted designer has more than earned his place at the top. Now, we wait to see what he’ll do next.