Simon Holloway Named Dunhill Creative Director: A New Chapter in British Luxury Menswear

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Simon Holloway steps into the role of creative director at Dunhill, the British menswear house known for its refined approach to luxury and traditional tailoring. His appointment marks a new chapter for a brand defined by its quiet confidence and deep-rooted craftsmanship. Holloway will unveil his inaugural Dunhill collection in London, a milestone that signals the brand’s renewed commitment to its enduring identity while inviting contemporary relevance in a rapidly evolving market.

Holloway succeeds Mark Weston, whose tenure as Dunhill’s creative director extended over more than five years. Weston departed at the end of 2022 following the arrival of Laurent Malecase as chief executive, a leadership transition that set the stage for Dunhill to reassess its design language and strategic direction.

Laurent Malecase described Holloway as a designer who understands quality and craftsmanship and who embodies Dunhill’s DNA. The new creative director’s sensibility, Malecase explained, will support the house as it continues to innovate with pieces that feel timeless, relevant, and steady in their appeal to discerning customers.

In speaking about the brand’s heritage, Holloway highlighted Alfred Dunhill, the founder whose inventive spirit and influence helped shape British menswear in the 20th century. He noted Dunhill’s lineage of innovation and its enduring impact on what modern luxury menswear can be, bridging traditional techniques with forward-looking design.

The announcement underscored that Holloway’s appointment reinforces Dunhill’s focus on core British heritage, functional elegance, and masculine refinement. The house is widely recognized for its luxury approach to country-inspired attire and accessories, emphasizing materials, construction, and a lifestyle ethos that appeals to a global audience seeking high-quality, enduring pieces.

Before joining Dunhill, Holloway led creative direction at Agnona and Purdey, and he has held senior creative roles across a roster of noteworthy brands, including Hogan, Jimmy Choo, Narciso Rodriguez, and Ralph Lauren. This diverse background is expected to bring a broad perspective to Dunhill’s product narratives, blending luxury tailoring with lifestyle-driven pieces that can engage both traditional Dunhill customers and newer generations of enthusiasts.

As the brand positions Holloway at the helm, the conversation around Dunhill’s future design trajectory centers on balancing its storied British craftsmanship with modern functionality. The new direction aims to preserve the brand’s distinctive aesthetic—one that harmonizes elegance with practicality—while also exploring fresh silhouettes, materials, and finishing details that reflect contemporary tastes. In doing so, Dunhill seeks to maintain its status as a leading light in luxury menswear without losing the quiet, confident sophistication that long defined its appeal. — WWD

Observers note that the transition at the creative helm aligns with a broader industry shift, where heritage brands pursue modernization through thoughtful design literacy, curated storytelling, and a recommitment to durable, well-made products. Holloway’s experience across luxury houses and heritage labels could help Dunhill articulate a cohesive narrative that resonates with shoppers in the United States, Canada, and beyond, while still honoring the brand’s established codes, rituals, and quality benchmarks. The result may be a collection that feels both unmistakably Dunhill and unmistakably contemporary, inviting clients to invest in pieces that promise longevity and polish for years to come.

Industry commentators will watch closely as Holloway translates his vision into lookbooks, runway appearances, and product lines that reflect the house’s heritage while embracing new textures, modern fittings, and cut lines that flatter a diverse range of physiques. The goal is to deliver a refined sense of luxury that speaks to a global audience seeking quality-led craftsmanship and a sense of British provenance. Dunhill’s afterglow as a brand that champions functional elegance positions Holloway well to steer a collection that is at once respectful of its past and confident about its future. The promise rests on the ability to merge long-standing Dunhill rituals with inventive materials, subtle color updates, and tailored silhouettes that can adapt across seasons and markets.

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