Jonathan Saunders has today announced his resignation as creative director of his eponymous label, and the closure of the brand. The Scottish designer cited ‘personal reasons’ for the decision, confirming his spring/summer 2016 collection was his last.
‘It is not a decision that I take lightly and I am eternally grateful to my team for all their hard work and dedication,’ Saunders said in a statement. He reached the decision along with his investor and business partner Eiesha Bharti Pasricha, the daughter of telecom baron Sunil Bharti Mittal. ‘Eiesha has not only been a fantastic partner over the last year, but an incredible support and we remain close.’
‘I have thoroughly enjoyed supporting one of the most talented British designers of our times,’ Bharti Pasricha added today. ‘Our decision to part ways was not easy and I wish Jonathan every success for the future.’
In the month or so since Raf Simons departed from Dior, and an argument with Lanvin's owner precipitated Alber Elbaz's departure from the french maison, this sad news casts a shadow across the industry at large. But hopefully the future is bright for the designer, adored for his vibrant prints and bold colours: ‘I am very thankful for all of the friends that I have across the industry, and I look forward to working with everyone again soon on future creative projects.’
Speaking backstage after his spring/summer 2016 show, Saunders described the collection as ‘a colourful, emotional, sensual tribe.’ We couldn’t agree more.
