Christian Dior were always searching for a new artistic director since John Galliano’s departure and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s shoe range for Superga sells out.
Raf Simons was appointed to the role of artistic director at the French fashion house last month, replacing John Galliano who was sacked in March 2011 following an anti-Semitic rant.
Although Dior waited 13 months to name a new designer, during which time profits unexpectedly grew, president and chief executive Sidney Toledano said it was always on the agenda to find a replacement for Galliano and never considered continuing on without one.
He told the Financial Times, ”I never considered that. I always thought we absolutely needed an artistic director. They, and their charisma, are what create breakthroughs. But you make choices about how you use that. The role of artistic director for a lifestyle brand – one that implies all the aspects of life such as vacation, sports, and so on – is different from the role of artistic director in a luxury brand. [They are] a shorthand to help consumers understand the brand, and to embody it.”
In the aftermath of the scandal, the label was helmed by interim designer Bill Gaytten, who oversaw retail revenues increase almost 30 per cent.
However, Sidney admitted having a flamboyant artistic designer wasn’t necessarily a bonus and says a successful brand is more about the quality of the goods.
He added, ”If [flamboyance] works for the designer, then fine, and if it feels natural. But if not, it can be counterproductive, and it is better to avoid it. In the end, luxury is judged not by whether a designer’s face is on X number of posters, but by their work.”
The design duo – who have ranges including Elizabeth and James and The Row – were delighted when they were asked by Steve Madden to be involved in a collaboration with Superga.
Ashley said, ”When we first met with Steve Madden, who we’ve collaborated with for a long time, I was wearing my old, beat-up Supergas and he said, ‘Oh I’ve been wanting to buy that company,’ and I said, ‘Well, you know if you do, please think of us.’
”Now our styles for The Row have sold out in a matter of hours when they first came online, and were thrilled, we really are.”
However Mary-Kate’s favorite pair in the collection are not even ones she can wear.
She told WWD.com, ”You just want to grab all the little baby ones, the little cashmere baby ones. They’re amazing.”
Mary-Kate has previously revealed she would never leave the house if she wasn’t happy with her outfit.
She said, ”I think as soon as you start dressing for someone else, it goes wrong. I can’t leave the house if I don’t like what I’m wearing. I mean, I literally can’t.”
