Christian Dior has confirmed that Raf Simons has taken the place of John Galliano at the house. The designer, who left his post as creative director of Jil Sander in February, will show his first collection for Dior during Couture Week in July, and will hold the official title of "artistic director".
"It is with the utmost respect for its tremendous history, its unparalleled knowledge and craftsmanship that I am joining the magnificent house of Dior," Simons said today. "Mr Christian Dior has always been for me the most inspiring couturier. Around the globe, the name Dior symbolises the ultimate in elegance and refinement. I am truly humbled and honoured to become artistic director of the most celebrated French house in the world."
The appointment comes more than a year after John Galliano's high profile dismissal, which preceded a trial in Paris during which he was found guilty of using anti-Semitic insults. Simons is only the sixth designer to helm Christian Dior - following the founder, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, and John Galliano in the role.
Much like his predecessor, Simons has one eye on the history of the brand - but aims to bring his own point of view to the label.
"My aim is a very modern Dior, but at the end of the day, I also look back," Simons told the New York Times, referring to what he calls "mid-century modernism".
"I find that period between 1947 and 1957 extremely attractive, and there was a lot of modernity," he said. "There was the romantic appeal looking back to his mother and the belle époque, but there was also a constant evolution in shape, changing proportions and the ideas connected to the World War were revolutionary."
"It is with tremendous excitement that the House of Dior is welcoming Raf Simons, one of today's greatest talents," LVMH added in a statement. "Monsieur Dior's first collection radically changed the codes of elegance all over the world. Following the legacy of its founder, Raf Simons' journey with the house of Dior will propel its iconic style into the 21st Century."
And for those who think the former menswear designer will struggle with the rigours of couture, Simons has a simple answer.
"It is not always right to judge everything in terms of commerciality," he said. "In the art world there are collectors, curators and an audience, and they are all important. I am fascinated with what could be the relevance of the language of couture in the 21st Century."

Here is a look at Raf's work through the years

What do you think of Raf at dior? I think its the best choice they could have made.



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