Raf Simons is Out at Dior
Dior’s now former creative director, Raf Simons, taking a bow at the SS16 show. Photo: Getty Images
Just when you thought the fashion dust had settled, Raf Simons is stepping down from Dior.
After less than four hugely successful years as the creative director of the French house, WWD reports that Simons is stepping down “for personal reasons.” Sources tell the trade paper that the break up is amicable, before adding that the real reason was a disagreement over the terms of his new contract, but Simons released his own statement:
It is after careful and long consideration that I have decided to leave my position as creative director of Christian Dior’s women’s collection. It is a decision based entirely and equally on my desire to focus on other interests in my life, including my own brand, and the passions that drive me outside my work. Christian Dior is an extraordinary company, and it has been an immense privilege to write a few pages of this magnificent book. I want to thank Mr. Bernard Arnault for the trust he has put in me, giving me the incredible opportunity to work at this beautiful house surrounded by the most amazing team one could ever dream of. I have also had the chance over the last few years to benefit from the leadership of Sidney Toledano. His thoughtful, heartfelt and inspired management will also remain as one of the most important experiences of my professional career.
Simons’ departure comes after a year of musical chairs at the highest echelon of the fashion industry. New creative directors were named at Gucci, Balenciaga, Hermes, Carven, Nina Ricci and Oscar de la Renta this year alone, leading to furious gossip over who will end up where. When Demna Gvasalia of Vetements was named the creative director of Balenciaga at the end of this most recent season, it looked like everything had settled down. Simons exiting Dior will cause another seismic shift.
The 47-year-old designer landed at Dior after a successful run at Jil Sander, where he was pushed out by Sander herself. After its Galliano scandal, Dior was in need of some polish, which Simons offered in spades. His structured dresses, slim suits, bright colors and even last season’s sexy thigh-high boots earned him rave reviews and a cult of Hollywood fans. Under his tenure, the house appointed buzzy faces like Jennifer Lawrence and Rihanna, both of whom attracted a very new customer for the storied house.
As for Simons himself, the relatively quiet and press-shy designer let his work—and those legendary floral arrangements—speak for himself. (Though the well-received documentary, Dior & I, earned him added publicity outside of the industry.) And it worked—there wasn’t even the slightest hint of trouble in paradise.
WWD adds that the house has yet to begin a search for its next designer. We’d say cue the speculation, but it’s already started. Cathy Horyn says Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci in the obvious choice, before suggesting Phoebe Philo. A woman at the helm of Dior? Yes please!
