Sona Fong reports 10 facts about the highly regarded legend, Jonathan Anderson
In the world of high fashion, Jonathan Anderson is one of the most prolific and creative minds. Well-known for his innovative style, he not only revitalized Loewe’s image, but also pulled up successful collaborations with Uniqlo and film director Luca Guadagnino for the movie “Queer” and “Challengers”. It is no surprise that his transfer from Loewe to Dior made a splash amidst the industry.
1.From a small town in Northern Ireland
Anderson was born in Magherafelt, Londonderry. Being the son of Willie Anderson, the former Ireland rugby captain, he didn’t follow the athletic path of his father and his brother. Instead, he grew interest in costume design, then pursued a menswear design degree in London.
2. Craved for performance, not fashion
Before stepping into the industry, Anderson once went to the Juilliard School of New York City to try to become an actor. Nonetheless, the 18-year-old fell in love with fashion instead of acting, becoming a world-famous designer.
3. Renowned for the gender-fluidity of his design
Looking at Anderson’s designs, it is not difficult to notice an idiosyncratic vision of his. A lot of the times, the divergence of the menswear and womenswear is rather negligible.His unique aesthetic underscores the meticulous cross-pollination between menswear and womenswear elements.
4. An animal-lover
“Jonathan was animal crazy,” said from no other but Anderson’s own mother Heather Anderson, In his graduation show at the London College of Fashion, 2005, he encased insects in the accessories. From his perspective, fashion can sometimes be too serious — an animal can always give it some senses of humor.
5. Established his own fashion label JW Anderson
During London Fashion Week 2008, he founded his eponymous brand JW Anderson. Well-known for the innovative style, the brand reflects Anderson’s fluid interpretation of masculinity and femininity with playful designs and oversized silhouettes.
6. Designed the iconic looks for your idols
Ariana Grande’s 2024 Met Gala gown, Rihanna’s 2023 Super Bowl performance outfit, Harry Styles’s 2020 concert cardigan, these are all legendary appearances we loved and crafted by the one and only Jonathan Anderson.
7. Inspired by the Renaissance painter Pontormo
Always fond of combinations of colors, Anderson shared his love for “The Descent of Christ”, the altarpiece by the Italian artist Pontormo. Rebounding creative energy from the inspiration, Anderson in fact crafted Loewe’s SS22 collection to modernize Pontormo’s mannerist style.
8. Won the Designer of the Year, twice
For the 2023 and 2024 Fashion Awards, Anderson took home the Designer of the Year two years in a row. Being the tip of the iceberg of the accommodations he achieved, this showcased the undeniably impactful creativity of Anderson in the industry.
9. The Creative Director of Loewe since 2013
Anderson had been Creative Director of Loewe, the world-famous Spanish luxury house, since 2013. Saying a bittersweet goodbye after a decade, the Loewe FW25 collection serves as a memorable full stop of Anderson’s journey with the House.
10. New Creative Director of Dior
On June 2, Dior and Anderson surprised everyone through the confirmation of Anderson’s landing at Christian Dior as the Creative Director of women’s, men’s, and haute couture collections of the House. His debut would be Dior Men Summer 2026, during Paris Fashion Week 2025.
