In a significant move that signals a fresh direction for luxury British menswear brand dunhill, Simon Holloway has been appointed as its new creative director. Holloway brings with him a wealth of experience in the fashion industry, as well as a deep understanding of the brand’s DNA.
Simon Holloway, a British designer based in London, is no stranger to the world of luxury fashion. Having studied fashion design at Kingston University School of Fashion, he has held senior creative roles at brands such as Hogan, Jimmy Choo, Narciso Rodriguez, and Ralph Lauren. Before joining Dunhill, Holloway served as the creative director of James Purdey & Sons, another esteemed brand in the Compagnie Financière Richemont portfolio.
As Holloway takes the reins at dunhill, he succeeds Mark Weston, who left the brand in late 2022. Laurent Malecaze, the new chief executive officer of dunhill, praised Holloway’s “creative energy” and “decades of experience in luxury,” asserting that these qualities will be “instrumental as we evolve and expand our house’s iconic codes in the context of today’s client.“
Malecaze also emphasized Holloway’s “sense of quality and craft” and his understanding of the dunhill DNA, which will ensure that the brand continues to innovate with “timeless, purposeful, and relevant” products.
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In his own words, Holloway described Alfred Dunhill, the brand’s founder, as “a pioneer, an innovator, and one of the most influential British tastemakers of the 20th century.” He noted that dunhill’s “obsession with ingenuity and refinement” has left an “enduring and powerful inspiration” for the brand.
With Holloway’s appointment, dunhill aims to reinforce its focus on the guiding principles of British craft, innovation, functionality, and masculine elegance. It is understood that the brand plans to highlight tailored clothing, luxury fabrics, and classic menswear silhouettes.
This direction contrasts with the sportier touch introduced by Weston, whose signature wrap jackets, split-hem trousers, and nonchalant chic attracted a global customer base.
While at Purdey, Holloway established a new template by creating lifestyle and accessories collections for both men and women. His designs blurred the lines between city and countryside, featuring pieces like double-face cashmere capes, sleek trenches with checks, and Black Watch tartan suiting for eveningwear.
dunhill is part of Richemont, a luxury group that includes brands like Alaïa, Chloé, Delvaux, Montblanc, Peter Millar, Purdey, and Serapian. Richemont chairman Johann Rupert considers dunhill to be one of his most treasured fashion properties. The group’s soft luxury businesses reported a 27 percent growth in the first half of the 2023 fiscal year, generating profits of 56 million euros.
Simon Holloway’s appointment as creative director of dunhill marks an exciting new chapter for the luxury menswear brand. His experience and appreciation for the brand’s heritage, combined with his innovative approach, will undoubtedly usher in a new era of growth and success for dunhill.
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