Dior's new creative director: Raf Simons
Paris–Christian Dior Couture reported today that its first quarter revenues jumped 29% to 284 million euros (about $372.9 million), helped by “positive momentum” in Europe, America and Asia.
The company, which last week appointed Raf Simons as its new chief designer, posted record revenue growth at its retail operations: a 41% increase at current exchange rates and a 35% increase at constant exchange rates. Europe, America and Asia recorded strong growth.
While the news was positive for the company, which is allied to luxurygoods giant LVMH, most of the buzz about the company has centered on who would replace disgraced designer John Galliano, who was fired some 15 months ago.
Last week, Christian Dior ended months of speculation and rumors that Marc Jacobs would assume the reigns of the brand by naming Simons, the Belgian designer who most recently was design director for Jil Sander.
Raf Simons to Take Dior Back to its Roots?
Simons, 44, reportedly took immediate creative control of the Parisian fashion house and will present his first couture collection in July.
“The name Dior symbolizes the ultimate in elegance and refinement,” Simons said. “I am truly humbled and honored to become Artistic Director of the most celebrated French house in the world.”
Simons indicated his vision for Dior would be more geared to its founder, Christian Dior, who founded the company 66 years ago.
“I haven’t been in the archives yet but for me the strongest impact is in the first 10 years of Dior, and how to link that to the 21st Century,” Simons told The New York Times.
“I think what Raf has done over the last couple of years at Jil Sander is exactly what’s needed to bring Dior into the present moment,” Valerie Steele, director and chief curator for the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) told the Daily Beast. “He’s shown that he can do things with a couture sensibility, but there’s also a real modernity … to his work.”
