Jonathan Anderson
Creative Director & Designer, Loewe & JW Anderson
The British designer has made waves with his gender-bending work for his eponymous label and was named creative director of Loewe in 2013.
One of the industry’s most feted British designers, Jonathan Anderson — the eponymous creative director of JW Anderson — is internationally heralded as a significantly original talent. Since his 2013 appointment as creative director of Spanish luxury house Loewe, he has exhibited a more refined take on his idiosyncratic aesthetic and in 2015 was awarded womenswear and menswear designer of the year at the British Fashion Awards, the first time any individual had been presented with both awards in tandem.
Initially, Anderson pursued a career in acting at the Studio Theatre in Washington DC An interest in costume design, however, led the Northern Ireland native to complete a degree in menswear design at the London College of Fashion , from which he graduated in 2005. After working as a visual merchandiser for Prada under the tutelage of Miuccia Prada ’s right hand Manuela Pavesi , Anderson launched his career as a menswear designer in 2008.
He was quickly singled out as “one to watch,” receiving sponsorship from the British Fashion Council ’s NewGen committee in 2010, and presented his first catwalk collection at London Fashion Week, after building a reputation through sponsored collections created for Topman. At the request of fans, Anderson also launched a capsule womenswear collection at the start of 2010, which received instant critical acclaim and commercial success and saw him secure a second NewGen sponsorship.
In September 2012, Anderson collaborated with high-street giant Topshop on a limited-edition collection of clothing and accessories that sold out within hours of launching. Anderson produced a second collection for Topshop in February 2013 and in June 2013 showcased his first collection for Versace’s diffusion line Versus.
In September of 2013, LVMH took a minority stake in JW Anderson and hired Anderson to take the creative helm at Loewe, an LVMH-owned brand based in Madrid and best known for its leather goods.
Anderson has also been honoured by the British Fashion Council with “Emerging Talent, Ready-to-wear” in 2012, “The New Establishment Award” in 2013, “Menswear Designer of the Year” in 2014, "Menswear Brand of the Year and Womenswear brand of the Year" in 2015, "Accessories Designer of the Year" and "British Designer of the Year — Womenswear" in 2017. In 2015 he was incorporated as a permanent jury member for the LVMH Prize and in 2019 named a trustee of the Victoria & Albert Museum by UK prime minister Theresa May.
VITAL STATISTICS
What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
ExploreWhat is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
ExploreTop 10 Shows of the Season
BoF’s editors pick the best shows of the Autumn/Winter 2024 season.
The BoF Podcast | Dan Levy and Jonathan Anderson on Balancing Creativity and Commerce
Loewe’s Jonathan Anderson and Emmy Award-winning actor and director Dan Levy in conversation at VOICES 2023.
BoF Celebrates VOICES 2023 With Star-Studded Gala
After three days of inspiring talks, guests closed out BoF’s gathering for big thinkers with a black tie gala followed by an intimate performance from Rita Ora — guest starring Billy Porter.
BoF VOICES 2023: Confronting the Creativity Crisis
Designers Jonathan Anderson and Diane von Furstenberg, actor-filmmaker Dan Levy, Uniqlo’s John C Jay and others spoke about the state of creation in an age of artificial intelligence and corporate mediocrity.
In Milan, a Season of Simplification
Milan men’s fashion week was ruled by a return to rationality and rigour, writes Angelo Flaccavento.
In Paris, Creators and Imposters
The Paris Fashion Week that closed on Tuesday offered both sparks of originality and shameless theft, writes Angelo Flaccavento.
How London Fashion Week Soldiered On
Emerging labels made tough choices and quick pivots in order to stage their shows after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
At the Milan Men’s Shows, Rags to Riches
Whatever the vibe, product took centre stage, from Prada to JW Anderson to Versace, reports Angelo Flaccavento.
Trying to Make Sense of Putin in Paris
How does fashion fit into a world turned upside down? Shows by Rick Owens, Jonathan Anderson at Loewe and Gabriela Hearst at Chloé offered intensely personal answers.
The Jonathan Anderson Experiment
A last-minute switch from live-showing in Milan to film-making in London was the designer’s latest exercise in ingenious Covid crisis management.