In a recent interview with Business of Fashion’s Tim Blanks, Kim Jones discussed his guest editorship at Vogue Italia, his “obsession” with Virginia Woolf and how he hates being called “King of collaborations“.
Kim Jones recently made history being the first designer ever to be guest editor for Vogue Italia. Editing the April issue, Jones said he “wanted to express where we were in the world at the moment through this magazine, working with friends and people I love”. One of the six covers that Jones helped create features Demi Moore, who starred in Jones’ Orlando-influenced couture debut at Fendi. Discussing Orlando, Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group, he details just how important these influences were to him, even from a young age. Jones discussed discovering Woolf at aged 14, exploring the river Ouse where the writer committed suicide. The two discussed the artistic director’s womenswear work at Fendi, and how it has allowed him to open himself up more and “unleash a lot of [my] obsessions that maybe people didn’t know about”. While his Fendi debut did receive mixed reviews, it certainly was a spectacle to behold.
Jones also revealed his personal collection of celebrity treasures which include Andy Warhol’s high school yearbook, Lou Reed’s typed lyrics and even Allen Ginsberg’s Mastercard. This perfectly demonstrates his fixation on pop culture and how he uses these inspirations in his work. Regarding himself as an “outsider”, he believes that his ability to step outside of the luxury house frame allows him to bring in a different opinion and design. This, in part, explains the success he’s found with the many collaborations that he’s been a part of throughout his career. Although he hates the title “King of collaboration”, Jones’ work speaks for itself like the legendary collaborations with Supreme and Nike.
However, Jones understands his position and his role. As he puts it, “My number one priority is to keep the customers happy, and my boss happy”. It’s safe to say he’s achieved that.
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