This month, in yet another round of fashion’s musical chairs, news has broken: after 11 years at the helm of Loewe, Jonathan Anderson is moving on, leaving behind an era-defining legacy that seamlessly blended art, craft, and fashion.
A dedicated collector and advocate of high craft, Anderson transformed Loewe into more than just a luxury brand, it became a cultural beacon, where art wasn’t just an influence but a central pillar. As we bid farewell to his tenure, let’s look at some of his most unforgettable art-infused moments.
David Wojnarowicz & The Met Gala Spotlight
One of Anderson’s most powerful collaborations was with the late artist David Wojnarowicz. In 2021, Dan Levy wore a show-stopping Loewe ensemble at the Met Gala, featuring Wojnarowicz’s artwork, a statement that honoured the artist’s fearless activism and visual storytelling. Loewe later deepened this connection with a capsule collection benefiting Visual AIDS, proving fashion could be both political and poetic.
Richard Hawkins & The AW24 Menswear Show
Anderson kicked off 2024 with a bold move, bringing the rebellious energy of Richard Hawkins to Loewe’s menswear collection. Hawkins’ signature paintings of diabolically pretty young men appeared on the runway, injecting a mix of beauty, danger, and desire into the collection. It was a reminder that Anderson’s Loewe was never afraid to push boundaries.
Lynda Benglis & Sculptural Elegance
For Loewe’s SS24 show, Anderson collaborated with sculptor Lynda Benglis, reducing fashion to its purest form: silhouette and movement. Benglis’s monumental bronze sculptures provided a striking backdrop to the runway, while her jewellery blurred the line between wearable art and fine sculpture.
Paul Thek Tribute & The SS25 Menswear Show
Anderson’s appreciation for conceptual art shone through in Loewe’s SS25 menswear collection, which paid homage to Paul Thek’s layered, enigmatic works. The show also nodded to the creative worlds of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Susan Sontag, and Peter Hujar, turning the runway into a living mood board of artistic references.
Josef & Anni Albers: A Textile Love Affair
Few designers have championed textile arts like Anderson. For his FW25 collection, Anderson collaborated with the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation, showcasing a masterclass in materiality and craftsmanship. Featuring loom-woven coats, screen-printed skirts, and an exhibition-like setting at the Hôtel de Maisons, Anderson turned fabric into fine art.
Anthea Hamilton & Tate Britain’s ‘The Squash’
Loewe’s collaboration with Anthea Hamilton for Tate Britain’s 2018 Duveen Commission remains one of its most striking moments. Hamilton’s surreal, squash-inspired costumes, created with Loewe, transformed the neoclassical galleries into a dreamlike, ever-shifting performance space, embodying Anderson’s vision of fashion as living, breathing art.
The Weaves Collection & Sotheby’s Showcase
Loewe’s ‘Weaves’ collection showcased intricate artisan techniques through a partnership with Sotheby’s, bringing together master potter Antonio Pereira and artists ARKO, Min Chen, and Laia Arqueros. The series reimagined traditional Galician chestnut roasters—handmade clay pots with exposed holes—through bold weaving techniques using ribbons, leather strips, wool threads, straw, and feathers sourced from Loewe’s archives.
LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize
The LOEWE FOUNDATION launched the annual Craft Prize in 2016, conceived by Jonathan Anderson to celebrate excellence, artistic merit, and innovation in modern craftsmanship. Honouring artisans and makers who push the boundaries of contemporary craft, this initiative reflects Anderson’s commitment to bridging fashion, art, and craft, leaving a lasting impact beyond his time at Loewe.
From activist-inspired T-shirts to sculptural runway installations, Anderson’s tenure at Loewe has been a continuous dialogue between fashion and art. His next move is still a mystery (Dior, perhaps?), but one thing is certain: wherever he lands, he’ll continue redefining what fashion can be.
