Jonathan Anderson was appointed as creative director of the French fashion house Dior in March 2025, becoming one of the world’s most influential designers. As creative director of the luxury label Loewe for 11 years from 2013, he led a rebranding of the Spanish company, and was hailed a critical and commercial success. He’s also run his own label JW Anderson since 2008, and launched collaborative lines with high street brands including Top Shop and Uniqlo. The recipient of many accolades since winning the Emerging Talent prize at the British Fashion Awards in 2012, he was named Designer Of The Year in 2023 and 2024.

Jonathan Anderson tells John Wilson about his rural upbringing in Northern Ireland at the height of The Troubles, and the influence of his father, the former Ireland rugby team captain Willie Anderson. He recalls a childhood visit to a textiles factory run by his maternal grandfather that sparked a fascination for printed fabrics. Working as a shop window designer for the luxury label Prada led him to pursue ambitions to become a fashion designer, encouraged by Prada stylist Manuela Pavesi. Jonathan Anderson also reflects on the importance of creative freedom in his industry, claiming that the radical era of fashion, epitomised by designers such as Alexander McQueen and John Galliano, has been replaced by a fear of pushing boundaries due to the risk of social media backlash.

Producer: Edwina Pitman