The rumor that had been circulating was officially confirmed yesterday, just ahead of the Louis Vuitton menswear show this morning: Kim Jones, the Men’s Artistic Director, is departing the brand after a triumphant seven-year tenure. Jones is renowned for his visionary ability to elevate streetwear into the sphere of high fashion, a talent he showcased last season with the extraordinary Supreme x Louis Vuitton collaboration, a dream come true for hype-beasts. While that collaboration seemed like the perfect grand finale, today’s show proved Jones had more to offer.
In the show notes, Jones mentioned “Discovering something new. A constant voyage,” hinting at a theme of transition, with clothing designed to “travel on the body.” This concept of travel is a recurring theme in Jones’s work for the house, celebrated for its luxury luggage. The standout print was a photographic image taken during a helicopter ride over Kenya, symbolizing high luxury and the relentless pace of leading a global luxury brand.
The atmosphere at the venue was electric, packed with friends and fans from London celebrating his tenure, and a notable presence of designers in the front row: Virgil Abloh, Olivier Rousteing, Grace Wales Bonner, and Craig Green, alongside Vuitton regulars David and Victoria Beckham with their son Brooklyn. The runway held a major surprise with Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss appearing in new Glazed Monogram raincoats (and little else), followed by in-house fit model Dominik Sadoch in a two-piece glazed Monogram denim suit. It marked the end of an era at Vuitton, yet the beginning of a new chapter for the house, as stated in their notes: “It is an overview, a fresh perspective. Looking forward, to new horizons.” The speculation about Jones’s successor continues.