A KNIGHT’S TALE: British designer Kim Jones will be made a Knight of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest civilian decoration, in a ceremony in Paris on Friday after his fall 2025 menswear show for Dior, the French fashion house said.
“This prestigious recognition honors the talent, passion and commitment of the artistic director of Dior men’s lines,” the house said in a statement.
Speaking ahead of his show, Jones said he was deeply moved by the honor.
“I was shocked, actually. When I got the letter, I cried. It’s very nice, because it’s celebrating your work and achievements,” he told WWD. “It’s something you never even think you’ll get. I don’t think many foreign people get them and I think it’s a real compliment.”
The designer was previously appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honours List in 2020 for services to fashion.
He said it was rewarding to see his tenure at luxury conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, where he has served variously as creative director of menswear at Louis Vuitton and Dior, and of womenswear at Fendi, recognized by the French state.
“I was trying to write my speech this morning, and I’m a bit lost for words at the moment,” he confessed.
Jones will receive the award from Anna Wintour, chief content officer of Condé Nast and global editorial director of Vogue.
“She was very sweet. She completely changed her schedule to come and do it,” Jones said. “Anna’s a tour de force of getting things done and supporting people and so it’s really wonderful to get it from her. She’s been very, very supportive of me and I think she’s an amazing woman.”
His boss Delphine Arnault, chairman and chief executive officer of Dior as well as a member of LVMH’s board of directors and executive committee, was among the honorees on the Legion of Honor’s annual New Year’s list, published last Saturday.
