Kim Jones exiting Louis Vuitton

British designer Kim Jones is to quit Louis Vuitton after he shows his final men's collection for the label on Thursday, the brand said Wednesday.

His departure from one of the plum jobs in men's fashion is likely to set off a fresh round of musical chairs, with speculation mounting that he may be on his way to Versace or even Burberry.

The 44-year-old has led the luxury French brand since 2011 after he was poached from British heritage house Dunhill, which he dusted down and gave a new lease of life.

Vuitton said that Jones "has been the driving force behind some of the house's most successful projects and collaborations", with eye-catching hook-ups with hip New York streetwear brand Supreme and the iconoclastic British artists Jake and Dinos Chapman.

Jones brought his passion for wildlife and for exotic travel to his ultra luxurious collections for Vuitton, mixing a lingering nostalgia for British colonial chic with a streetwise edge.

Vuitton's chairman Michael Burke praised Jones' ability to "set trends" and for making the label "the leading brand in luxury menswear today.

"All of us who have been fortunate to work with Kim wish him continued success in his next venture," he added in a statement.
 
According to industry talk, several names have been suggested as a replacement for Jones, such as Lanvin artistic director,  Lucas Ossendrijver. However, nothing has been confirmed by Louis Vuitton. 

Born in London in 1979, Jones kicked off his career in 2003 with his London fashion week debut, marking the short-lived launch of his own label, which has been on hold since 2008.

He became artistic director for Dunhill in 2008, before joining Louis Vuitton three years later.