BREAKING NEWS: Raf Simons Is Out At Calvin Klein; The Brand Will Not Show At NYFW In February

NEW YORK — In August 2016, DM Fashion Book reported that Belgian designer Raf Simons was named the new chief creative officer of Calvin Klein (see it here).

After less than two years, since he took the helm at the American fashion house, Calvin Klein Inc. and Raf Simons said Friday (December 21) that Simons is leaving his post as chief creative officer.

Both parties have amicably decided to part ways after Klein decided on a new brand direction.

Raf Simons is stepping down from his role as creative director of Calvin Klein more than eight months ahead of the end of his contract, according to a release from parent company PVH. Prior to joining the American brand, Simons served as women’s creative director at Dior. In 2015, he left that luxury house after 3 1/2 years (see it here). Christian Dior has appointed Maria Grazia Chiuri as its new artistic director, the first women to hold the position in the French house’s 70-year history (see it here).

Simons‘s departure is not shocking, I saw it coming: In a December earnings call, PVH CEO Emanuel Chirico expressed dissatisfaction with Simons‘s performance, noting that a high-end overhaul of Calvin Klein Jeans had been unsuccessful and the Calvin Klein 205W39NYC line had not seen solid return on investments. “Both parties have amicably decided to part ways after decided on a new brand direction which differs from Simons’s creative vision,” the release reads. As a result of Simons‘s departure, Calvin Klein will not be showing on the February 2019 New York Fashion Week calendar.

Photos Credit: Willy Vanderperre