British designer Kim Jones is set to succeed Kris Van Assche as Christian Dior’s menswear designer.

Van Assche, a 41-year-old Belgian, whose minimalist, urban aesthetic has garnered praise during his 11-year tenure at Dior, is one of Paris fashion’s most recognisable faces.

He said he is leaving with his “mind and heart filled with experiences” to “pursue new challenges”.

After he closed his smaller eponymous label in 2015 amid challenging market conditions, Dior was his main occupation.

Dior parent company LVMH Group said that Van Assche would remain in the group and his future role would be announced later.

In a separate statement, Dior announced that London-born Jones will replace him in the high-profile role, one of the most coveted in the fashion industry.

Jones, 44, was formerly menswear designer at Louis Vuitton, and held his celebrity-filled swan song in January alongside models Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.