Ending his 3-and-a-half-year tenure as Creative Director, Raf Simons has announced he will be leaving Christian Dior.
The Belgian designer’s departure was confirmed in a statement from Dior’s CEO Sidney Toledano who thanked Simons for his “exceptional contribution to the house”.
In a statement released today, Simons himself, added:
“It is after careful and long consideration that I have decided to leave my position as creative director of Christian Dior, 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 of my work. Christian Dior is an extraordinary company, and it has been an immense privilege to be allowed to write a few pages of this magnificent book. I want to thank 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. I have also had the chance over the last few years to benefit from the leadership of Sidney Toledano. His thoughtful, heartfelt and inspired management will also remain as one of the most important experience of my professional career.”