The mystery that has puzzled the fashion industry for more than a year now has finally been solved – Raf Simons has been unveiled as Dior’s new artistic director.
Fashion’s biggest guessing game has come to an end with the announcement that the 44-year-old Belgian will fill the vacancy left by John Galliano, who was fired in March 2011 for making drunken anti-Semitic remarks.
The designer will present his first collection for the French house as its artistic director at Paris Couture Week in July.
Having started his career as a furniture designer, Raf was the creative director at Jil Sander up until February, and will now be responsible for women’s haute couture, ready-to-wear and accessory collections at Dior, according to WWD.
A statement by the fashion house hails Raf as, ”one of today’s greatest talents” who will ”propel [Dior’s] iconic style into the 21st century.”
Raf – who originally trained himself to be a menswear designer – told the publication he considers the label’s founder to be ”the most inspiring couturier”.
He said, ”Around the globe, the name Dior symbolises the ultimate in elegance and refinement.
”It is with the utmost respect for its tremendous history, its unparalleled knowledge and craftsmanship that I am joining the magnificent house of Dior.”
Galliano’s longtime assistant and Dior’s former studio director Bill Gaytten had been holding the fort in the interim, while designers including Marc Jacobs, Alber Elbaz and Haider Ackermann were all rumored to be in the running for the coveted position.
