They said/We said: Raf! Simons! Christian! Dior! (What else?) THEY SAID: Fashionista: “Raf is in at Dior and it’s as if all the fashion stars have aligned.” [Fashionista]
The Fader: “It’s exciting to think that someone as subversive, intellectual, subtle and measured, someone who speaks to young fashion fans so seamlessly, will be taking the reins at arguably the highest profile fashion house in the world, and it’s anyone’s guess how he’ll merge his vision with Dior’s.” [The Fader] He said he was leaving Milan forever, but he never said anything about Paris. Yes, the longest-running game of Guess Who? the fashion world has ever seen is finally over. And cue the welcome party, because we couldn’t be happier.
the house will be for the haute couture shows in July—somewhat fitting considering the colourloving minimalist took a decidedly haute hand to his recent Jil Sander “Couture Trilogy” (before getting the boot, that is).
Cathy Horyn broke the news today that Raf Simons will be taking over (effective immediately) as artistic director at Dior. His first collection with
The news comes after over a year of headhunting on Dior’s part. The house famously went after Marc Jacobs last year (the two
parties couldn’t agree on salary) and reportedly later Lanvin honcho Alber Elbaz (he turned down the offer). Simons’ name started popping up in late December and the rumour mill began churning like nobody’s business. The juiciest part in all this? Yves Saint Laurent creative director Hedi Slimane has been a longtime menswear rival of Simons’. And now the two get to face off in the womenswear arena. Does this mean Dior versus YSL walk-offs are in our future? Whether he was their first choice or not, he was most definitely ours. We’re still having dreams about his last Jil Sander collection. Those reds! Those pinks! This really couldn’t have turned out better.
Styleite: “Pardon us while we totally freak out.” [Styleite] WE SAID: Bernadette Morra, editor-in-chief: “Looking back now
at Jil Sander’s Fall 2012 collection, it seems obvious that Raf already had Dior on his mind, especially in terms of those New Look silhouettes. I think that bodes well for the house of Dior. Raf also has the maturity to move into couture. So while it may take him a few seasons to adjust and get his “couture
legs,” I think we are all in for a refreshing new chapter of Dior.” Susie Sheffman, fashion editor-at-large: “I’m already drooling! Raf Simon’s past few collections have had editors (including moi) swooning as he explored mid-century couture in the most modern way! This is