The move, which had been rumoured in fashion circles for several weeks, is said to be "for personal reasons". No, she's in New York. Dior and I: seven things we've learned about Raf Simons Beginning in furniture design, Simons launched his own menswear label in 1995. No replacement has been named. Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article referred incorrectly to the status of negotiations between Dior and Raf Simons. Simonss Calvin Klein takes hold with celebrities from Saoirse Ronan to Odell Beckham Jr. to RuPaul, who wear full CK looks to the Oscars, the Emmys, and the football stadium. As always, when a departure is announced, speculation is rife as to who could replace him. And what will Simons and Dior do next? Raf Simons is stepping down as creative director of Christian Dior, LVMH announced this morning. . He previously went into some detail about the split, suggestingthat the sheer amount and pace of the work at Dior was too much for him. Photo: Rabbani and Solimene Photography/2013 Rabbani and Solimene Photogr Photo: Rabbani and Solimene Photography/2013 Rabbani and Solimene Photography, Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/2013 Axelle/Bauer-Griffin, Photo: George Pimentel/2014 George Pimentel. PA. And so it was announced yesterday that Raf Simons has decided not to renew his contract and to leave Christian Dior for personal reasons, with his spring/summer 2016 collection being his last. I want to thank M. 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. Perhaps we are getting to the end of the road of designers taking on two roles in different countriesespecially when one role, like Christian Dior, is so vast. The Style Guide to Raf Simons: Fashion's Provocateur - Culture Trip It wasnt meant to be published, but then suddenly it was everywhere, Snelders said. Raf Simons's Greatest Accomplishment at Dior? Re - Fashionista the full skirts, the fitted Bar jacket, the flowers. Raf Simons Bids Farewell to Dior - The New York Times His thoughtful, heartfelt, and inspired management will also remain as one of the most important experiences of my professional career.. Simons released the following statement regarding his departure: 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. Simons told The Gentlewoman of the event: As a student I always thought that fashion was a bit superficial, all glitz and glamour, but this show changed everything for me. He also wanted to focus on his eponymous label and personal life. According to a statement from Mr. Simons, who is also the founder of a namesake mens wear brand based in Antwerp, Belgium, the decision was 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 of my work., Sidney Toledano, chief executive of Christian Dior Couture, and Bernard Arnault, the chairman of LVMH, thanked Mr. Simons for his exceptional contribution to the House.. 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. CANNES, France Raf Simons' eponymous label, with its links to youth culture and underground music, had made the Belgian designer a hugely influential force in menswear and a favourite amongst fashion insiders and the conceptual art crowd. Fri 18 Apr 2014 09.31 EDT 5 D ior and I, the documentary chronicling Raf Simons' debut haute couture collection, premiered at New York's Tribeca film festival last night. Raf Simons has become one of fashions most central and celebrated figures since entering the industry in 1995, thanks to his work at his eponymous menswear label and stints as creative director at Jil Sander and Dior and as chef creative officer at Calvin Klein. This morning, Christian Dior announced thatRaf Simons will leave his position ascreative director. Oct 22, 2015. Cue 700 selfies in your feed. The latest title to join the fashion film genre is Dior and I, the documentary that enters the House of Christian Dior as the brand's new artistic director Raf Simons created his first . His Bar jacket tailleurs, meanwhile, are second to none. Its a shame that creative energy and the instinct for the meticulous development of fashion ideas can be burned through so quickly, rather than being allowed to evolve into something over time. suggesting a reclamation of his time following his departure from Dior. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. The Belgian designer, who had spent the previous seven years at Jil Sander while simultaneously running his own menswear label out of Antwerp, stepped in at Dior more than a year after John Galliano was dismissed from the house in the wake of Gallianos anti-Semitic remarks. Terms of Service apply. Each newsletter contains an unsubscribe link. This morning, Christian Dior announced that Raf Simons will leave his position as creative director. "Fashion is not the only thing that can make me happy." I can't say whether Simons's decision to leave three and a half years later is directly related to feeling that he's run out of ideas for. Its about cultures sliding togetherthats the most important message for me, Asian culture and the culture of the west coming together. August 2, 2016. In its second major creative upheaval in the last five years, Christian Dior, the Parisian couture house that is the cornerstone of the LVMH Mot Hennessy Louis Vuitton luxury empire, announced on Thursday that the artistic director Raf Simons was leaving the brand. Though he maintained his mens wear brand throughout his time at both Sander and Dior, analysts estimate it has annual revenues under 10 million. She wrote: "Simons's abrupt departure will undoubtedly spark renewed talks about the difficulties of overseeing a brand of Dior's size and the almost inhuman demands of the current fashion cycle.". Ad Choices, From Emma Watson to Beyonc: 25 of the Best Courtside Beauty Looks at Wimbledon, Phil Ohs Best Street Style Photos From the Fall 2023 Couture Shows in Paris, The Best Backstage Photos From the Fall 2023 Couture Shows in Paris. In my mind, his action aligns him directly with a pair of role models Simons has always claimed as heroes: Martin Margiela and Helmut Lang, the two giant influencers who famously quit when theyd had enough, and were respected evermore. Isolated Heroes, a photography tome of David Simss pictures of the street-cast models in Simonss Spring 2000 show, is published, giving credence to the designers street-inspired and youth-focused message. The space remained in situ all weekend, allowing members of the public to experience it too. (modern), Raf Simons studies one of his designs in the documentary Dior and I, Raf Simons's first collection for Christian Dior - in a room wallpapered with flowers. Simons stages Diors Spring 2013 Haute Couture collection in Paris. The spring/summer 2016 collection shown earlier this month will be his last. You\'ll receive the next newsletter in your inbox. It is possible at Calvin Klein.". The 30 Best Looks by Raf Simons at Dior - The Cut His eponymous label has seen him collaborate many times with Sterling Ruby; at Jil Sander he offered homages to Picasso; at Dior he paid tribute to Flemish masters and Andy Warhol, and printed Rubys paintings on couture gowns; and at Calvin Klein he undertook the largest project to date with the Andy Warhol Foundation, while simultaneously lifting references to films like The Graduate and Jaws for his collections. Simons presents his Spring 2016 collection for Dior, inspired by purity and the quasi-Victorian outfits in Picnic at Hanging Rock. A roundup of fashion designers who are seen as having top-job potential. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. A new documentary shines a light on the Dior designer, and life inside one of the most famous fashion labels in the world, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. A search will be conducted, sources tell WWD. Raf Simons's First Dior Collection - The New York Times Simons, 46, doesn't speak French which does seem a little odd for a Belgian, non? Raf Simons Leaves Dior | EDGE United States Inspired by Jeff Koons' giant flower puppy, Simons filled every high-ceilinged room of a Paris mansion with thick walls of fresh blooms for his first show. But did the relentless pressure of holding down two roles overwhelm those fleeting moments of fun? Indeed, with their mash-ups of the Middle Ages, Victoriana, the houses own New Look, and the Space Age, recent collections have seemed to leap centuries while they launched current trends. Raf Simons, (born January 12, 1968, Neerpelt, Belgium), Belgian fashion designer who worked for various labels, notably serving as creative director of Jil Sander (2005-12), as artistic director of Christian Dior (2012-15), as chief creative officer of Calvin Klein (2016-18), and as cocreative director of Prada (2020- ). Raf Simons in a scene from Dior and I, 2014. He was credited with modernising the label and brought on new ambassadors including Jennifer Lawrence and Rihanna. Shot in Paris shortly after Simons was appointed by the iconic French fashion house, director Frdric Tcheng was given intimate access to the ateliers and beyond. I have also had the chance over the last few years to benefit from the leadership of Sidney Toledano. Raf Simons was born on January 12, 1968. The visual is haunting, inspired by recent acts of terror in major cities around the world. Hes taken Diors pre-season collections everywhere from Pierre Cardins famous Palais Bulles in the South of France to a sumo wrestling arena in Tokyo to the Brooklyn waterfront. Whatever the reasons behind his going, Simons is leaving like a rock starreputation intact, audience wanting more. The house tells WWD that the decision was made by Simons "for personal . Gigi Hadid, Chle Bailey, and More of the Bestest Party Pics of the Week. Did Simons feel he had come to the end of what he wanted to say within the codes of femininity laid down by the house of Christian Dior? On top of everything, Dior had the public. Clearly, Raf helped with that. he asks. Raf Simons is born in the small town of Neerpelt, Belgium. The collection yielded a sensitive documentary, Dior and I, showcasing the challenges Simons surmounted as a newcomer in the houses couture ateliers. I am really shocked. Simons is named chief creative officer of Calvin Klein. Torn, oversized sweaters, down jackets and misaligned coats made the . Why Raf's Dior departure is a powerful move | Dazed According to Dior, Simons "reached this decision for personal reasons." "It is after careful and long consideration that I have decided to leave my position as. Raf Simons's Biography and Timeline | Vogue As industry rivals elsewhere found themselves grappling with a Chinese economic slowdown and foreign exchange volatility, consumer enthusiasm for the Dior brand appeared to grow unabated, something repeatedly attributed by executives to the vision of Mr. Simons. He also wanted to focus on his eponymous label and personal life. All the Looks From the 2023 Golden Globes. I walked out of it and I thought, Thats what Im going to do. On Thursday, LVMH announced that Raf Simonswill exit Dior afterthree-and-a-half years as the critically acclaimedcreative directorof the French fashion house. Dior and I: Interview With Frederic Tcheng about Raf Simons, Dior He almost fluffs his bow from nerves, and refuses to walk the full length of the runway, threatening to faint. At the newly modern, forward-thinking House of Dior where, radically, he goes by "Raf", rather than "Monsieur Raf" Simons creates chunky files of images and inspirations for his concepts. Why did Raf Simon leave Dior? Technically, designers are meant to have presented two full collections to be eligible for the prize, but for Simons, the rules dont apply. What prompted his exit, we wonder? Gallianos downfall made people question the amount of stress designers are under, but that wasnt Simonss complaint. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Raf Simons Explains Why He Left Dior for Calvin Klein 6 years ago in Style Words By Lia McGarrigle When Raf Simons left Dior after just over three years, the fashion world was shocked. By signing up you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement. You can object to the use of your e-mail address for this purpose at any time without incurring any costs other than the transmission costs according to the basic tariffs. Plus, Puma has Rihanna to thank for a successful fiscal year. Yesterday, Raf Simons announced his departure from Dior, three years after having joined the company. They devoted a fair bit of attention to the great American plastic couch cover, slipping transparent plastic over everything from plaid tailoring to a sensational yellow-gold fur coat and feathered cocktail numbers, wrote Nicole Phelps in her review. Now, in a new interview with Amuse, the designer opens upabout another one of the reasons he left the fashion house. And its the same [here], a week in Antwerp, a week in Paris. The point being, he was dedicated to supporting his Raf Simons labela legend in menswear since he founded it in the 90s. All rights reserved. Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Simons, 44, is only the fifth designer to take over Dior since its founder died, in 1957, and his successor, Yves Saint Laurent, came to prominence. To accomplish this, Titelmedia has engaged UsableNet Inc, a leading web accessibility consultant to help test, remediate and maintain our Website in-line with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which also bring the Website into conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The 57-look collection is a collaboration with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation and features the iconic photographers work as a part of every look. . Sidney Toledano, the chief executive officer of the Paris fashion house, made the announcement today in a statement. ", Simons explains that it was the accessibility of Calvin Klein that really drew him in: "To be really honest, the attraction and the reason why I came to Calvin is because it has the highest and the lowest and everything in between, so you can reach out to everybody. But I do think theres something in it that relates to his strong sense of emotional integrity and need for a sane work-life equilibrium. From Harry Styless sparkling Gucci set to Megan Thee Stallions metallic bodysuit. His longtime right hand, Pieter Mulier, who you might remember from Dior and I, will be the creative director, reporting directly to Simons. Collection presented in Paris on Oct. 2 . He gave Diors rich, romantic legacy the full skirts, the fitted Bar jacket, the flowers a modern edge, and without the drama and personal excess of his predecessor John Galliano, who was fired in 2011. Shortly after parting ways with Jil Sander, Simons is hired as the creative director for Dior. The ready-to-wear show that he presented most recently in Paris - for spring/summer 2016 - will be his last for the French house, leaving him free to focus immediately on his eponymous label. But Dior will survive without him., (Ralph Toledano is not related to Sydney Toledano. In a statement released today, Simons said, It is after careful and long consideration that I have decided to leave my position as Creative Director of Christian Dior Couture Womens collection. But as he said then, When you do six shows a year, theres not enough time for the whole process. Raf Simons Exits Dior, What It Means for the Fashion Industry - Vogue After presenting his Fall 2017 Raf Simons collection in Gagosians 24th street space, Simons headed to the back lot of an East Broadway mall to show a menswear collection for Spring 2018 that riffed on Blade Runner, New Order, and plenty of his classic references. The news will come as a surprise to many in the fashion industry, given the positive reception afforded to Simons work for Dior. For the most recent fiscal year, revenues at Christian Dior Couture were up 18 percent, to $1.94 billion. Although Simons seldom voiced regret in interviews about the workload at Dior six shows a year, two involving the extra finesse of haute couture he was candid about the pressures it put on the creative process. And that leads us back to the first question: Why? When I interviewed him in New YorkDior threw a benefit at the Guggenheim at which Simons had been able to book a dream performance by Richie Hawtin, his teenage techno-music hero DJ known as Plastikmanhe surprised me by revealing that he had negotiated a deal similar to the one hed come from at Jil Sander. The epicenter of runway news, street style, and emerging trends. Raf Simons was born on January 12, 1968. In June, he invited his audience to Pierre Cardins bubble house in the hills above Cannes. But thats never possible when you have only one team working on all the collections., His solution was to form two design studios last year, so that they alternated on the collections. Maybe, but one could argue otherwise that the pressure of Dior made Simons more proficient, more intuitive. The 'Barbie' Movie Isn't Out Yet, But Its 30-Plus Collabs Are. But unlike the majority of 2015's earlier buzz, there was nary a rumor that Simons was to depart. In the period from July 1 to Sept. 30 this year, Christian Dior Couture revenue rose 5 percent at constant exchange rates to 471 million euros, or $524 million, compared with the same quarter last year. 5 reasons why we're sad to see Raf Simons leave Dior By Olivia . In an age when finding life balance is a huge generational longing, its an example people across many industries will relate to. If you do encounter an accessibility issue, please be sure to specify the web page and nature of the issue in your email and/or phone call, and we will make all reasonable efforts to make that page or the information contained therein accessible for you. Hired to design mens and womenswear for Jil Sander in 2005, Simons presents his first collection for Fall 2006. When was Raf Simons created? Raf Simons to Leave Dior | Complex Raf Simons joined Dior in April 2012; he made his haute couture debut just months later, in July.Dior and I, a documentary premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival, chronicles the making of that . Simons has always had a warm relationship with both men and with Arnaults daughter, Delphine, who was involved in his hiring. Riccardo Tisci is rumoured to be a candidate - meaning he would follow previous Dior creative director John Galliano in jumping from the smaller LVMH label to its more lucrative stablemate if the move materialised - and young LVMH talent Jonathan Anderson, currently at Loewe, is also being mooted. The epicenter of runway news, street style, and emerging trends. Ad Choices, From Emma Watson to Beyonc: 25 of the Best Courtside Beauty Looks at Wimbledon, Phil Ohs Best Street Style Photos From the Fall 2023 Couture Shows in Paris, The Best Backstage Photos From the Fall 2023 Couture Shows in Paris. Jian DeLeon Jan 31, 2017 Raf Simons is a name that brings to mind the "frequency illusion," a cognitive bias in which something or someone has been recently discovered and is suddenly. After Diors spring show in Paris on October 2 Simonss last, as it turns out Bernard Arnault, the chairman of LVMH, was backstage praising the designer, although he had already told Arnault and Toledano that he planned to leave. Updating: What Hollywood is wearing to the 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards. Photo: Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images. Simons isnt walking away from fashion completely; he still has his own menswear collection in Antwerp. Why Raf Simons Is Leaving Christian Dior - The Cut The designer "reached this decision for personal reasons.". So what has brought this short-lived era to a close? Rizzo, Vanderperre, and Simons collaborate to photograph Robbie Snelders for the inaugural issue of V Magazine. He certainly talked about stress, but he had enough personal resources to handle it a stable private life, close friendships that go back 35 years, an overriding sense of duty toward Dior and the people in its ateliers.