Calvin Klein confirms Raf Simons appointment
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After months of speculation, Calvin Klein has confirmed Raf Simons appointment as Chief Creative Officer via Instagram, effective immediately. His first collection for the US fashion brand is set to debut in time for the Fall 2017 season.
The American fashion label, which is held by PVH Corp, decided to take to its social media channel on Instagram to share the news of the new appointment with its 5.6 million followers. Confirmation of Simons new role comes 10 months after the Belgium designer left his role as Creative Director at Dior. In his new role, Simons is set to lead the brand's global creative strategy across the Calvin Klein Collection, Calvin Klein Platinum, Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Jeans, Calvin Klein Underwear and Calvin Klein Home brands. He will also oversee all areas of the brand's design, global marketing and communications and visual creative services.
Raf Simons is named Chief Creative Officer at Calvin Klein
"The arrival of Raf Simons as Chief Creative Officer signifies a momentous new chapter for Calvin Klein," said Steve Shiffman, CEO of Calvin Klein. "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. 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."
According to the US fashion group, Simons appointment also marks the implementation of the brand's new global creative strategy, previously announced this April, which sees the company unify all its Calvin Klein brands under one creative vision. The strategy is to be part "of a global evolution of the Calvin Klein brand," one which first started with the reacquisition of the Calvin Klein Jeans and Calvin Klein Underwear businesses back in 2013. The US company aims to grow the brand to an impressive 10 billion dollars in global retail sales, and notes that Simons appointment is set to "further strengthen the brand’s premium positioning worldwide and pave the way for future long-term global growth."
In addition to confirming Raf Simons appointment, Calvin Klein also announced the hire of Pieter Mulier as Creative Director. In his new role, Mulier will report directly to Simons and will be in charge of executing Simons' creative and design vision for all men’s and women’s apparel and accessories lines within the Calvin Klein brand, supporting Simons wherever possible. Mulier and Simons are no strangers, as Mulier has often be cited as Simons right handed man during his three year tenure at Dior.
Photo: Raf Simons Dior SS14 - (c) Catwalkpictures.com