London-based designer Jonathan Saunders has just announced that he is stepping down as creative director of his eponymous label and will terminate operations of the brand.
In an official statement, Jonathan, who started his brand in 2003, says, “It is not a decision that I take lightly.” He notes being grateful to his investor and business partner Eiesha Bharti, adding, “I look forward to working with everyone again soon on future creative projects.” It looks like a carefully crafted statement where no specific reasons are mentioned.
The full statement reads: “It is not a decision that I take lightly and I am eternally grateful to my team for all their hard work and dedication. Eiesha has not only been a fantastic partner over the last year but an incredible support and we remain close. I am very thankful for all of the friends that I have across the industry, and I look forward to working with everyone again soon on future creative projects.”
Let blogger Bryan Boy fill you in on the rumor mill. He claims he knows a designer or two who have been interviewed by Moët Hennessy-Louis Vuitton (LVMH), the company that owns Dior, and it wants their next helmsperson “to close their lines.” Maybe the industry is finally learning that designers handling more than one brand sometimes don’t work (case in point: Raf Simon with Dior and Alexander Wang with Balenciaga).
https://twitter.com/bryanboy/status/674217979958161408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
And though the brand’s termination will be effective soon, those who have placed orders for their spring/summer 2016 collection will still be honored.
This announcement of termination comes after the news of Raf Simons leaving Dior and Alber Elbaz’s departure from Lanvin. Truly, the tides of fashion are changing.
Photo courtesy of Vogue.com