Francesco Russo may become part of Dior's design team

Footwear designer Francesco Russo is rumored to have a new

position at French luxury house Christian Dior.

According to sources at WWD, Russo has been tapped by Dior for women's footwear collections and may be working close at hand with Raf Simons and his ready-to-wear group.

Previously Russo worked at Yves Saint Laurent, where he designed the Tribute shoe and Sergio Rossi, where he was creative director and designer from 2008 to 2013 before he launched his eponymous footwear collection for women in September this year, during Paris Fashion Week.

His namesake footwear line is currently housed at an atelier on Rue de Valois in Paris, near the Palais Royale.