Jonathan Anderson, 40, has announced his departure from Loewe, stepping down as the creative director after 11 years at the helm of the Spanish luxury house.

His exit marks the end of a transformative era that reshaped Loewe’s identity, positioning the brand as a leader in contemporary luxury fashion.

The Northern Irish designer joined Loewe in 2013, bringing with him a distinctive vision that merged masterful craftsmanship with avant-garde design. During his tenure, the brand flourished under his leadership, fusing surrealist elements, bold silhouettes, and innovative artistic collaborations.

Loewe emerged as a key player in the fashion world, known for its high-concept designs and commitment to excellence in leather craftsmanship. One of Anderson’s most iconic contributions was the Puzzle bag, a design that celebrated its tenth anniversary this year and became a symbol of the brand’s blend of form and function.

Dame Maggie Smith carrying the iconic Puzzle bag. Courtesy of Loewe. 

His work also challenged conventional fashion norms, pushing boundaries and creating pieces that were both artistic and wearable.

In an emotional post shared via Instagram, Anderson reflected on his time at Loewe: “From my first day at Loewe, I found kindred spirits in the design studio and workshop, whose talents were, and still are, unmatched. Thank you for sharing your craft,” he wrote. “Over the past eleven years, I have been fortunate to be surrounded by people with the imagination, skill, tenacity and ingenuity to say ‘yes’ to all my wildly ambitious ideas. Looking back, I have realized that a brand is not built on the first show, or even on the first year of shows, but is built slowly, season after season, year after year, based on what works for it.”

Under Anderson’s leadership, Loewe became not just a luxury brand but a place of artistic experimentation, where the line between everyday items and extraordinary works of art was often blurred.

Some of his standout creations include the sculptural leather dresses, the playful balloon heels, and the pixelated trompe-l’œil coats, all of which defied traditional fashion expectations.

The brand also forged memorable collaborations, such as the one with Studio Ghibli, the renowned Japanese animation studio, and produced campaigns featuring famous faces like Maggie Smith and Daniel Craig.

As Anderson’s departure opens a new chapter for Loewe, the fashion industry is already buzzing with speculation about his next move.

His exit adds to a wave of creative director changes sweeping through the world of haute couture. Just days before Anderson’s announcement, Demna was appointed the new creative director of Gucci after his exit from Balenciaga, while Donatella Versace also made headlines with her departure from Versace, marking the end of an era for the iconic Italian brand.

The recent shifts in leadership within the fashion industry underscore the changing dynamics at the top of haute couture houses, with designers like Anderson, Demna, and Donatella influencing the direction of some of the most prestigious brands in the world.

As these creative minds move on to new ventures, the future of fashion seems to be in a constant state of evolution, with fresh ideas and perspectives emerging to challenge tradition and define the next era of luxury.