JW in Capital Letters
Luxury between craft & community
Let’s talk about the elephant in the fashion industry, and no, I don’t mean someone or something that’s being avoided. I’m referring to his greatness, so monumental it has conquered the fashion world: the one and only Jonathan Anderson. Also known as the creative director of his eponymous brand, he’s the visionary who revolutionized Loewe, not only putting it back on the map but placing it firmly in the front row alongside today’s leading fashion houses. And, as of recently, he’s been named the new creative director of Dior, taking over the full creative direction of the house.
While his creativity and designs are unparalleled, what strikes me even more about JW is the set of qualities that often go unnoticed in the traditional fashion world: his leadership, empathy, and deep recognition for his team, along with his commitment to emerging talents and skilled artisans. His constant interest in art and the artists behind it is genuinely fascinating.
Why? Because, once again, as someone writing from within this niche, supposedly exclusive world, it’s rare to see someone as powerful as him build such a meaningful connection between luxury, high-end products that reflect a fantasy life, and the humble beauty of craftsmanship.
This subject feels especially relevant in today’s polarized fashion landscape because it gives me, and other young creators, a sense of hope. Hope that working in fashion with strong values still matters. Hope that by creating and sharing our work online, it might reach the right people, those to whom our art can speak deeply.
In a greedy and self-centered environment, where anyone who gains a little bit of power is quick to burn bridges and guard their brief moment in the spotlight, Jonathan reminds us that true growth comes from community and collaboration. He shows us that the beauty of life lies in sharing it with others. That failure is easier to carry when it's not faced alone, and success feels even greater when celebrated together.
On that note, I can’t wait to see what he brings to Dior and how he reshapes his own label, JW Anderson. Just last week, he announced a major rebrand of the label, turning it into a lifestyle-focused concept. The brand is expanding beyond clothing, with a sharper focus on objects, accessories, and experimental product design. This shift signals a new era for JW Anderson as a lifestyle brand, one that blends fashion with interior aesthetics and everyday utility, reflecting Anderson’s longstanding fascination with art, culture, and the spaces we live in.
The new direction includes a curated mix of homeware, furniture, ceramics, jewelry, artisanal honey, and vintage objects, presented as a kind of modern cabinet of curiosities. The brand will pause regular seasonal fashion shows, choosing instead to present collections only when there is something truly worth sharing. A new flagship store is set to open on Pimlico Road in London, and the Soho and Milan boutiques will reopen in September. New locations are also planned in New York, Paris, and Japan. The first full launch of this new concept will happen on September 1, 2025, featuring around 560 unique items.
Highly recommend giving this podcast episode with JW Anderson a listen, it's a spark of creativity and insight into the mind of one of fashion’s most thoughtful visionaries