KIM JONES – LOUIS VUITTON’S NEW STYLE DIRECTOR

Kim Jones is a British menswear designer, He presented his first catwalk collection in September 2003 at London fashion week and made his Paris debut in July 2004, where he showed for 5 consecutive seasons. Other presentations have varied from films with Alasdair McLellen and Toyin, to a book with American art photographer Luke Smalley. Alongside his own collection Jones has designed and worked for a variety of companies, including Uniqlo, Topman, Umbro producing Umbro by Kim Jones, Mulberry, Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Hugo Boss and Iceberg.

In 2008 Jones was hired as Creative Director of British men’s luxury goods brand Alfred Dunhill. His injection of modernity into the heritage brand was considered an exciting formula at Dunhill. 2011, Jones was named the new style director of Louis Vuitton’s men’s ready-to-wear division, replacing Paul Helbers who held the position for five years. The news came in the form of a tweet from Jones’s official Twitter account. In his new role at Vuitton, Jones will be working closely with Marc Jacobs, who currently serves as the artistic director for the luxury label. For Spring 2012, he showed suits with the pants rolled up, varsity jackets, zigzag knit sweaters, and even a tux paired with shorts. The color palette contained mostly neutrals such as khaki, navy, brown, grey, and cream. But there was also a red and royal blue Masai-inspired grouping of plaid and Damier check items from scarves to short sleeved shirts.

Jones' premiere collection really displayed his penchant for sportswear and especially outerwear. Highlights include an anorak, trench, safari jacket with multiple pockets, and a quilted coat in the signature monogrammed flower pattern.

Jones told Suzy Menkes in the International Herald Tribune that he was inspired by Vuitton's rich history in the travel world—think steamer trunks from the late 1800s—and his own childhood in Africa. "Growing up in Africa, living with little lizards, snakes and elephants or being chased by baboons—it never really goes away," says Jones. "The thread is travel. It’s the DNA of the brand—but it is not just for travel but for leisure as well."

He is currently said to be working with Kanye West on his eagerly anticipated fashion line Pastelle.

One of South Africa’s emerging fashion designer, Jerry Purfz says “I have been following Kim Jones work for sometime now, especially while he was at Dunhill, and I must say he really have out-done himself with the Louis Vuitton Range. Pure elegance”

25 November 2011

[ By Jerry Purfz]