An award-winning Northern Irish designer could be on the cusp of moving to one of the biggest brands in fashion, according to reports.
Jonathan Anderson has been touted by publications including EVOKE as being on the verge of a job with French label Dior.
Emma Costigan reported that the Co Derry native is discussing taking up the role of creative director to give the company a “new look.”
Mr Anderson has enjoyed a successful and decorated career in the industry, despite only being 40-years-old.
In 2023 and 2024, he won Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Council’s The Fashion Awards for his work with his brand with Spanish fashion house Loewe.
The creative has a large following on social media, with his Instagram account boasting over one million followers.
Mr Anderson’s work has earned him some very famous fans including Hollywood actors Jennifer Lawrence, Anthony Hopkins and Cate Blanchett.
Stars have also worn his outfits at high profile events, such as when the singer Rihanna wore one of his jumpsuits while performing at the Super Bowl LVII half-time show in 2023.
The 2024 Met Gala also featured a raft of famous faces decked out in Mr Anderson’s garments.
Jamie Dornan, who is a global brand ambassador for Loewe, wore one of the designer’s morning suits to the event as did Ariana Grande.
Also wearing his creations that evening were comedian, actor and star of The Bear, Ayo Edebiri, and fashion royalty Anna Wintour — the editor of Vogue.
Rihanna performs onstage during the Super Bowl LVII Halftime 2023 wearing JW Anderson. Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Mr Anderson grew up in Magherafelt and is the son of former Rugby Union captain Willie Anderson.
At the age of 18, he moved to the USA to study performance at the Studio Acting Conservatory in Washington DC.
Her left the course after a few years, moving back to Ireland where he found work in the menswear section of a clothes shop.
Mr Anderson decided to further his involvement in fashion by studying at the London College of Fashion and quickly rose through the ranks of the industry before establishing his own brand JW Anderson.
His work reached wide audiences in 2024, after he designed the costumes for two popular films by Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino — Challengers and Queer.
Challengers is a romantic drama focused on the world of tennis and stars Josh O’Connor and Spiderman and Euphoria star, Zendaya. Queer was a period drama adaptation of William Burroughs’ novel set in the bars of Mexico City in the 1950s — features Daniel Craig.
Having been named UK Designer of the Year in 2024, having also won the title in 2023, he said: “I love fashion, it makes me get out of bed in the morning.”
Mr Anderson’s own label recently announced a partnership with Guinness to produce luxury sweaters and t-shirts. The clothes feature some of the beloved Irish stout’s famous advertising imagery as well as the famous brand name and harp logo.
The capsule collection, which seeks to celebrate “the unrivalled craft and vibrancy that runs through the heart of both iconic brands”, includes a black jumper retailing at £890 with a similar piece at £690.
A t-shirt featuring a drawing of a pint of the black stuff is £155.