Raf Simons has stepped down as creative director of Jil Sander following six years of service to the brand. Tomorrow’s fall 2012 fashion show in London will be his last for the label.
In a statement Jil Sander said she’ll announce Simons’ replacement in the coming days, but Germany’s Gala Magazine has speculated she’ll return to the business she founded in 1968. It wouldn’t be the first time she’s returned to the fold. She resigned in 2000 after tension with Patrizio Bertelli, the chief executive officer of Prada, one of Jil Sander’s major stakeholders at the time. She returned in 2003, designed two critically acclaimed lines, but then took off again after disputes with Bertelli continued. Prada sold its stake in Jil Sander to Change Capital Partners in 2006, so with Bertelli gone perhaps the time is right for Jil Sander to assume control of her nakesake label once again.
Just as uncertain is what will become of Raf Simons. His name was one of the many suggested to fill John Galliano’s shoes, so some fashion forecasters have predicted appointment at Christian Dior is inevitable.
It would make sense, but I think we’re at the point now that anyone who leaves their fashion post could become a candidate to defer to Christian Dior. Some twelve months after Galliano’s fall from grace, isn’t it about time the fashion house filled the position and put us out of our misery?
