7 Independent Fashion Designers Who Became Creative Directors

Image via Complex Original

Where He Went: Jil Sander

Starting his own line in 1995, he was appointed Creative Director of Jil Sander ten years later. He transformed the brand's austere aesthetic and played with the notions of couture, proportion, and color, greatly boosting Jil Sander's commercial appeal. This success led him to his current position as Creative Director at Dior. Meanwhile, his own Raf Simons and Raf by Raf Simons lines continue to this very day.

Where He Went: Givenchy

This Ghanian tailor's eye for color and fit helped revolutionize suiting. In fact, he was the first tailor to have a catwalk show at Paris Fashion Week, ever. Riding on the success and warm reception of his debut 1994 show, he opened his own Savile Row boutique a year later, which was wildly successful. His designs caught the attention of LVMH President Bernard Arnault, who appointed him Creative Director of Menswear at Givenchy in 2004, where he stayed until 2007.

Where He Went: Louis Vuitton

Marc Jacobs' designs as a Parsons student got him noticed, and he launched his own collection in 1986. He then cut his teeth working for designers like Perry Ellis before launching his own company in 1993. Four years later, he was appointed Louis Vuitton's creative director.

Where He Went: Dunhill

Kim Jones quite possibly may be the best designer who flies under most people's radar. Since his debut at London Fashion Week in 2003, he's worked with a variety of labels, from Uniqlo, Umbro, and Alexander McQueen. In 2008, the British designer was hired as the Creative Director of luxury men's brand Dunhill, where he infused the clothes with a well-needed dose of modernity. Three years later, his services were enlisted by Louis Vuitton, where he works with Marc Jacobs as the brand's style director for the men's ready-to-wear collection.

Where He Went: Givenchy

While Boateng's stint at Givenchy was well-received, it wasn't until Riccardo Tisci took the helm did the brand blow up with rappers like Kanye West and Jay-Z. After working for companies like Puma, Tisci launched his namesake line in 2005, which showed in Milan. It didn't take long (about a year) until he was appointed as Givenchy's new creative director, where his fascination with gothic imagery and all-over prints made the world take notice.

Where They Went: Kenzo

In 2002, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim opened the doors on their shop, Opening Ceremony, which has since expanded into a formidable fashion brand. In addition to carrying quirky collaborations and on-the-cusp designers destined to make it big, their in-house line reflected the store's bubbly, colorful aesthetic perfectly. That's why it was such exciting news that the two were headed to the helm of Kenzo, a brand with a storied design history founded by Kenzo Takada in the '80s. Their first Kenzo collection was an instant hit, bringing a new relevance to the label, while making printed New Era fitted caps and Vans Authentics a fashion staple on Parisian runways.

Where He Went: Filson

Richard Chai's design pedigree earned him a spot designing for Marc Jacobs' namesake line before he branched out on his own in 2005. Known for favoring dark colors while reinterpreting casual menswear staples like flannel shirts and military-inspired outerwear, he even did capsule collections for companies like Target and Penguin. In 2012, his penchant for rugged yet wearable men's clothing netted him a position as creative director for Filson, the American outdoor brand.