Loewe was founded in 1846, but it was former Creative Director Jonathan Anderson who transformed it into the brand it is today. Here's what it was like before.

Creative Director <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/jonathananderson">Jonathan Anderson</a> <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/jonathan-anderson-leaves-loewe">departed</a> <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/loewe">Loewe</a> mid-March after a transformative 11-year tenure during which he reinvigorate the Spanish brand, helping it ascend to a new spot in luxury fashion's great pecking order. Just a week after that news broke, the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/lvmh">LVMH</a>-owned house <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/loewe-creative-directors-jack-mccollough-lazaro-hernandez">named successors</a> for the leading role: Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the duo behind <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/proenzaschouler">Proenza Schouler</a>, are the new creative directors.
In truth, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/loewe">Loewe</a> remained somewhat niche in the global <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/luxury">luxury</a> conversation&mdash;until Anderson arrived. His appointment in 2013 marked a seismic shift. He injected surrealist elements into Loewe&rsquo;s DNA, playing with trompe l&rsquo;oeil effects, sculptural silhouettes, and an irreverent sense of whimsy. He transformed the brand into a conceptual powerhouse, bridging the gap between fashion and art while embracing digital culture. His immersive <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/loewe-fall-winter-2025-collection">Fall/Winter 2025 presentation</a>&mdash;his final act at Loewe&mdash;underscored the avant-garde legacy he leaves behind. But what was Loewe like before its rise in the zeitgeist?&nbsp;
The brand was founded in 1846, far before fashion brands work as they do now, following a fashion week calendar with allotted times for runway shows or with rotating creative directors. It began as a leather goods brand and became a favorite among Spanish royals. It saw a shift in the 1980s when Giorgio Armani and the late Laura Biagiotti helmed womenswear designs. LVMH acquired it in 1996, which also signaled a new chapter for the Spanish label. Before getting to Anderson, it had changed creative hands many times. Now, the question looms: how will McCollough and Hernandez reinterpret Loewe&rsquo;s essence after such a monumental era for the brand?
Amid speculation on how their design ethos will shape the Spanish heritage label, keep scrolling to take a look back at Loewe before Anderson&rsquo;s tenure and discover who else creatively led the label, before its dramatically redefined trajectory.

Loewe's  Fashion Show and Luncheon at the Plaza in 1983. Getty Images.

Loewe&rsquo;s identity has always been rooted in its mastery of leather goods since its founding in 1846.&nbsp; Even as the brand expanded into ready-to-wear, leather remained its lifeblood&mdash;a legacy its creative directors have upheld through the decades, each leaving a distinct imprint on the brand. In the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/80s">1980s</a>, the brand saw a brief but notable shift when Giorgio <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/armani">Armani</a> and the late Laura Biagiotti designed its womenswear lines, adding their own touch of Italian sophistication. However, it was Loewe&rsquo;s 1996 acquisition by <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/lvmh">LVMH</a> that marked a new era, positioning the house for global prominence while ensuring that leather remained its defining signature.

Narcisco Rodriguez (1997-2000)

Loewe Fall/Winter 1998-1999. Getty Images.

Loewe Spring/Summer 2001. Getty Images.

The Spanish label ushered in a new chapter of modernization and global expansion with Narcisco Rodriguez&rsquo;s appointment, marking the first creative director under its ownership in 1997. Rodriguez brought a minimalist sensibility that resonated with the sleek aesthetic of the late <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/90s">&lsquo;90s</a>, refining Loewe&rsquo;s identity for a new generation. His tenure was pivotal in elevating the house&rsquo;s global presence, driving international expansion and increasing visibility through strategic store openings. He debuted his vision for the brand with the Fall/Winter1998 collection, presented at the LVMH's headquarters.

Jos&eacute; Enrique O&ntilde;a Selfa (2000-2007)

Loewe Fall/Winter 2002. Getty Images.

Loewe Spring/Summer 2003. Getty Images.

Loewe Fall/Winter 2004. Getty Images.

Loewe Spring/Summer 2004. Getty Images.

Loewe Spring/Summer 2007. Getty Images.

Loewe Fall/Winter 2007. Getty Images.

Jos&eacute; Enrique O&ntilde;a Selfa took the reins in 2000, with a vision that blended the house&rsquo;s Spanish heritage with contemporary silhouettes. The Belgian-born designer, who had Spanish roots, created a unique fusion that redefined the label&rsquo;s image: He showcased his innovative approach to cutting and his ability to translate the sultry essence of Flamenco into modern, sophisticated designs. Under his direction, Loewe&rsquo;s ready-to-wear offerings embraced a fresh sensuality, proving that the brand&rsquo;s artisanal craftsmanship could evolve while staying true to its cultural identity.

Loewe Fall/Winter 2009. Getty Images.

Loewe Spring/Summer 2010. Getty Images.

Loewe Spring/Summer 2011. Getty Images.

Loewe Fall/Winter 2012. Getty Images.

Loewe Spring/Summer 2013. Getty Images.

Loewe Fall/Winter 2013. Getty Images.

During his tenure, Stuart Vevers (<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/coach">Coach</a>'s current creative director) reinforced the brand&rsquo;s reputation for exquisite leather craftsmanship while sharpening its focus on ready-to-wear. By elevating both categories, he positioned Loewe more prominently within the luxury fashion world, attracting a broader global audience. One of his most celebrated collections, named "Tales of Spain," reimagined archival prints from the 1970s and 1980s, injecting a youthful energy into the brand. With bold graphics and vibrant storytelling, the collection resonated with a new generation of fashion lovers, proving that Loewe&rsquo;s rich heritage could be both timeless and modern.

What Was Loewe Like Before Jonathan Anderson?

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