After 2 1/2 years as creative director at British luxury brand Alfred Dunhill, Kim Jones is stepping down, according to a news release issued Sunday by Dunhill's chief executive, Christopher Colfer.

"Kim has made a valuable contribution to the creative development of Alfred Dunhill over the past 2½ years," Colfer's statement said. His collections have been both commercial and greatly appreciated and therefore we are sorry to see him go but his departure is in line with the original planning and strategy for the brand. We wish him the very best in his future creative endeavours."

In the news release, Jones thanked his creative team and said he looked forward to announcing future projects shortly "as well as publishing two books."

Jones' stint at Dunhill has dusted off the century-old heritage brand and injected it with a youthful sense of energy, and his shows have ranked among the most memorable of Paris Fashion Week the last few seasons, especially his spring-summer 2010 collection, which melded inspiration from the company's archives with a futuristic feel; displaying the models on a rotating dais stacked with polished aluminum suitcases.

The news release did not say who would replace Jones in the role, or the timetable for his departure.

 -- Adam Tschorn

Photo: Kim Jones' Alfred Dunhill spring-summer 2010 collection is seen at Paris Fashion Week in June 2009. Jones is stepping down after 2 1/2 years at the British luxury brand. Credit: Jonas Gustavsson / Special to the Los Angeles Times

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