Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez are the new creative directors of Loewe

Another turn, another ride. Released at an unusual time — in the early hours of the morning — LVMH has confirmed a rumor that had been circulating for weeks: Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the founders of Proenza Schouler, will take over the creative direction of Loewe, replacing Jonathan Anderson. The news comes just a few months after the announcement of the American designers’ departure from their historic brand, founded in 2002 as a graduation project at New York’s Parsons School of Design and dedicated to their respective mothers. A label that, over more than twenty years of activity, has established them as key figures in the New York fashion scene and earned them no fewer than five CFDA Awards. According to WWD, McCollough and Hernandez will oversee all of Loewe’s creative lines, from womenswear to accessories, with the mission of further expanding the brand’s international success. In their first official statements, the two designers emphasized how aligned Loewe feels with their own values, praising its pioneering spirit and strong bond with craftsmanship: “We are honored to join a Maison whose philosophy closely reflects our own. We look forward to working with its extraordinary teams and artisans, who under the direction of Jonathan Anderson have helped make Loewe a true cultural force.”

In an exclusive interview with WWD, Loewe CEO Pascale Lepoivre explained the reasons behind this decision, describing them as “highly creative and entrepreneurial, with a vision that goes beyond fashion and extends to multiple cultural disciplines, while also interpreting the variety of markets and customers the brand engages with.” Lepoivre also noted how their warm and open personalities perfectly align with Loewe’s company culture, made up of intensity, passion, and a certain playful and self-ironic spirit. She also revealed that McCollough and Hernandez will be relocating from New York to Paris — where Loewe’s creative offices are based — with frequent trips to Madrid, the brand’s birthplace (founded in 1846 as a leather-making atelier and supplier to the Spanish royal court). “Among their first tasks will be a visit to the Madrid atelier, meetings with artisans, and a deep dive into the Maison’s historical archives,” added Lepoivre. The timeline for their first collection for Loewe has yet to be officially announced. Despite the revolutionary nature of this change — given the near-perfect alignment between Loewe and Anderson — the news does not come as a surprise to fashion insiders: after their exit from Proenza Schouler, many expected their arrival at LVMH, and from the earliest signs, the duo was already being linked to Loewe. Now, all that remains is the official confirmation of Jonathan Anderson’s next step, which, according to persistent rumors, should be Dior in the coming weeks (reportedly delayed due to what seems to be a rather chaotic divorce between Maria Grazia Chiuri and the LVMH-owned brand).

To stay updated on the ongoing changes in creative directors, check out nss magazine’s All Creative Directors guide, updated in real-time.