After months of speculation, Calvin Klein announced today that it has named Raf Simons its next chief creative officer.
Simons, former artistic director for Dior, left the French fashion house in fall 2015 after he was reportedly unable to come to an agreement on a new contract with Dior’s parent company, LVMH. Prior to appointing Simons, Calvin Klein had Francisco Costa as its creative director of women’s and Italo Zuchelli as creative director of men’s.
According to a statement from Calvin Klein — a subsidiary of PVH Corp. — Simons will oversee creative direction for Calvin Klein Collection, Calvin Klein Platinum, Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Jeans, Calvin Klein Underwear and Calvin Klein Home brands. He will also be involved with aspects of design, global marketing, communication and visual creative services. He will debut his first collections for the label for the fall 2017 season.
Simons’ role is part of Calvin Klein’s strategy to “unify all Calvin Klein brands under one creative vision.”
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“Not since Mr. Klein himself was at the company has it been led by one creative visionary, and I am confident that this decision will drive the Calvin Klein brand and have a significant impact on its future,” said Calvin Klein Inc. CEO Steve Shiffman.
“Raf’s exceptional contributions have shaped and modernized fashion as we see it today and, under his direction, Calvin Klein will further solidify its position as a leading global lifestyle brand.”
Calvin Klein has also hired Pieter Mulier for a creative director role that will report directly to Simons.
