Oh yes, this guy never drops off the radar. A creative mastermind behind Loewe and JW Anderson, he is all about pushing the boundaries, breaking the norm and redefining the fashion game, time after time leaving us wondering: “What will he come up with next?” Today, on the designer’s 40th birthday, we are reflecting on why Anderson is so iconic and why we absolutely admire him (and you should, too).

Let’s start with the obvious: Jonathan is incredibly creative and fearless to be unique. Just look at his work — it speaks for itself.

Think 9–5 grind is tough? Try running two fashion brands, collaborating with everyone from Uniqlo to APC, designing costumes for Luca Guadagnino’s movies and creating custom outfits for A-list celebrities on tour. The man is a multitasking machine. If time management was an Olympic sport, Anderson would be taking home the gold.

You would think someone this gifted would want to take a victory lap on the runway every chance they get, but nope. Jonathan makes a blink-and-you-will-miss-it appearance after his shows, always letting the creations shine instead of hogging the spotlight. Very demure, very humble.

Anderson is a person who makes high fashion fun and exciting, inviting us to enjoy all the ironic pieces, playful shapes, and unexpected details. A pigeon clutch or a balloon shoes? Give me both! 

Whatever he touches turns to gold. Jonathan was the one to reimagine Loewe’s brand identity, making the Spanish fashion house one of the most successful fashion labels of today. Guess who designed the iconic Puzzle bag? Yes, that was him too. Oh, and here is the kicker — it was his debut handbag design for Loewe. 

Not only does Anderson listen to his audience, but he also responds with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for texting your best friend about juicy gossip. Remember when someone posted a pic of a tomato that screamed “Loewe vibes”? Two days later, boom, Jonathan dropped a tomato-inspired clutch. That is what I call interactive design.

Jonathan’s work isn’t just fashion, it is art and many of his creations belong in museums. He is not limited to just the runway, but also pays homage to craftsmanship and blends fashion with art and crafts in ways that are nothing but mind-blowing.

Who else could team up with Studio Ghibli one day and a ceramic studio the next? Anderson’s collaborations are always unexpected and exciting, proving he is not just a one-man show — he is a team player who thrives on creative partnerships.

Jonathan has an eye for looking at everything and everyone from the unconventional edge. Who else would see Maggie Smith, Lesley Manville and Daniel Craig like THIS?