A year ago, John Galliano was let go from the fashion house after a very public anti-semetic altercation led to a court case, which aired a slew a host of other problems the designer endured including addiction to prescription medication and alcohol.
After a year of teasing names, rumours flying and general panic and confusion in the industry, chief of the LVMH company Bernard Arnault, seems to have found the perfect fit for Dior.
In a statement yesterday, Simons said "The name Dior symbolizes the ultimate in elegance and refinement. I am truly humbled and honored to become Artistic Director of the most celebrated French house in the world".
He added "The first time I heard about the Dior position I thought, 'this feels right'".
The choice of designer is a quirky one for the brand, as Simons is famed for his minimalism and block colours, with a celebrated experience in menswear. At Dior, the tradition left by Galliano has been exhuberance, luscious silks and ultra femininity. Not to mention that where Galliano was a fixture in the public eye, Simons is shy, retiring and always focused on his work.
The 44-year old designer was replaced after six years at the helm of Jil Sander, by the return of the founder herself. In February he staged his final collection, a beautiful mix of pinks and beiges, contrasted against sharp blacks in blocky shapes yet still retaining the femininty he had grown within the brand. The runway was lined with turrets of flowers, resembling a funeral, if the sullen atmosphere was anything to go by.
The designer was given a roaring standing ovation led by Anna Wintour, with many of the fashion insiders erupting into tears at the finale. Simons gave a minimal bow, later returning to the runway in tears himself at the emotion he received.
Christopher Kane
Many names were thrown into the bucket for the job. Marc Jacobs was an initial frontrunner but it would have taken a lot to poach him from rival house Louis Vuitton where he has achieved phenomenal success and praise. Alber Elbaz of Lanvin, Christopher Kane and Erdem all denied they would take the job almost as soon as they were mentioned.
Hedi Slimane as creative director of Dior Homme in 2001
Hedi Slimane, who once rose to head of menswear at Dior, was a key contender due to his experience with the label, before accepting the creative director role at rival Yves Saint Laurent two months ago.
John Galliano at the height of his career with Dior
Ricardo Tisci (Givenchy), Stefano Pilati (former YSL) and Bill Gaytten, who has manned the brand since Galliano's departure, seemed the closest to the job over the last few months.
Simons' first show for the Parisien house will take place in July during the Paris Haute Couture shows. He ended his statement by saying he will revisit the first ten years of the 66-year-old brand and devise how to bring it into the 21st century.
