Loewe’s Loss, Dior’s Savior: Jonathan Anderson’s Debut

Everyone is freaking out over Dior’s new creative director: Jonathan Anderson. He’s bringing back elegance and artistry to a brand that had lost their original impact, but at what cost? As Dior is rising to the top, Loewe seems to be forgotten, already. Once Anderson’s canvas, Loewe lost their creative director of 11 years. What does all of this truly mean for the fashion world? Will Anderson go down in history as the one who saved the house—and Loewe as the one left behind? All eyes are on Anderson.

His debut was astonishing. Royal, fresh, and full of tiny details and references to some of the house’s iconic archival pieces. First, let’s look at the overall setting and vibe. The runway was nothing extravagant—the debut looks were made to be the center of attention. The looks Anderson provided weren’t receding to minimalism—just taking a step back from the over-the-top-ness we’ve seen in the previous years. Almost like a lookbook straight from Pride and Prejudice, the gorgeous vests and perfectly tied capes would blend right into Jane Austen’s fantasy scenes—but with a smart, modern twist that keeps it all balanced.

The highlight, for me, was definitely all of the subtle references towards many iconic pieces from the Dior archives. I absolutely loved how Anderson is connecting modern-day fashion while also paying homage to the previous fashion that built Dior as a brand. One of my favorites is this look below.

By looking at these huge pink cargo shorts, you can instantly see towards the bottom the folds. Those folds are a tiny nod to the one and only “Delft” dress from 1951 (below). I think this is so impressive because of the huge time gap, also since Anderson took a dress and incorporated it into menswear.

Image Citation: Grazia Singapore. “Jonathan Anderson Dior Debut Review: Dior Spring Summer 2026 Collection Paris Fashion Week Runway Looks Cargo Shorts Delft Dress Inspiration.” Grazia Singapore, June 2025.
Image URL: https://graziasg.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/jonathan-anderson-dior-debut-review-dior-spring-summer-2026-collection-paris-fashion-week-runway-looks-cargo-shorts-delft-dress-inspiration-1.jpg

Image Citation: “Untitled Image.” Google Images, https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQWTMAt1hsSW10sWPj-llzbwHQTtRRfs2Sqgw&s. Accessed 3 July 2025.

Another reference that really stood out to me is not specifically from Anderson’s menswear line, but actually Sabrina Carpenter’s outfit she wore to the fashion show. Her outfit is still his work, so I think this counts. She attended the show in a grey women’s suit-skirt set (right). This whole outfit pays homage to Dior’s absolutely iconic “New Look” from 1947 (originally).

The hourglass-shaped blazer has been a staple for the brand throughout the years featuring a cinched waist area with a wider bottom which shows off the skirt. The skirt especially is more modern, featuring pleats. I loveee this outfit Sabrina wore because it brought back the New Look which I feel like we haven’t seen in a while. There are a couple more references scattered throughout the show, but I recommend you go look for some and see if you recognize anything! The ones I mentioned are just the ones that striked me the most.

Image Citation: “Untitled Image.” Google Images, https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSyz4xuM9U3G34OV4BLiQhukuB3pkG-w_Uscg&s. Accessed 3 July 2025.

Now, what actually happened over at Loewe? Jonathan Anderson was Loewe’s creative director for over 11 years, more than a whole decade. With his leadership, Loewe captured the attention of many buyers as well as celebrities. He brought the brand to new heights. But, it’s inarguably true that Dior has far more elegance and legacy. It’s completely understandable that Anderson jumped at the chance to be a part of that. Although Anderson abruptly left Loewe, he emphasizes that he’s proud of his and the brand’s time together and recognizes that Loewe’s story is far from over. So, what will the future of Loewe look like? Will the brand find someone better to fill Anderson’s shoes? Well, Loewe announced their new creative directors: Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernández. They are known for their artisanal ways while also keeping it modern. I’m excited to see how they will lead the brand!

It’s no secret that Dior is in great hands. But surprisingly, he is directing all of menswear, womenswear, AND haute couture. This hasn’t happened since the Christian Dior himself was the creative director. This is a huge step for Dior and Jonathan Anderson and I can’t wait to see how this will play out. I already love how frequently Anderson mixes eras of Dior and how he is collaborating with art (example: Sheila Hicks).

Jonathan Anderson’s move from Loewe to Dior marks a huge event in history not just for one brand, but both of them. Fashion always includes risk, and I think Dior and Loewe as of now are both perfect examples. In addition, Anderson himself is also under a ton of pressure entering this new chapter. Make sure to keep watching closely—because you never know when fashion will take a turn.

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