KIM JONES GIVES UP HIS LABEL, JOINS DUNHILL

the young designer has even more to half-smile about. (idmag.com)

this piece from jones' fall 2007 collection shows his strength: making street/activewear chic and sophisticated. (mensstyle.com)

london - remember the spring/summer 08 collection for kim jones? that will be his last. in a move that's at once surprising and expected - the popular mens streetwear designer has been hired by english luxury goods label dunhill. well old houses poaching young designers to head their labels happen all the time. look for example at esteban cortazar, the 23 year old who will soon be debuting his fall 2008 collection for ungaro. but what's a shocker!? the fact that jones is scrapping his entire line and his collaboration with umbro, which he has worked with for the past five years. it is rare that designers give up entirely on their namesake collection. i wonder why he chose to do so.....

above photos are part of dunhill's latest catalog and ad campaign, featuring sophisticated brit, jude law. it is clear that dunhill is serious about raising it's profile and relevance to young men with old money.

if money is ever an issue, then perhaps that was it. no matter how profitable his own label was, i am sure dunhill is offering him that times ten. in addition he has the relative job security, financial stability and creative control that often eludes designers. at dunhill, he will be the new creative director. as such, his job has a wide scope, covering accessories, leather, and of course, menswear. he is a strategic component in dunhill's new pitch to redefine themselves as a mens luxury lifestyle brand.