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https://scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-luxury/article/1871322/raf-simons-bows-out-christian-diors-creative-director
Lifestyle/ Fashion & Beauty

Raf Simons bows out as Christian Dior’s creative director

47-year-old who took over French fashion house’s women’s collection after John Galliano’s sacking says he wants to focus on his own label and life beyond fashion

Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse

Updated: 11:19am, 23 Oct, 2015

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(FILES) - A photo taken on July 6, 2015 shows Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons acknowledging the public during the Christian Dior 2015-2016 fall/winter Haute Couture collection fashion show in Paris. Raf Simons has quit as creative director at Christian Dior after more than three years, the fashion house said on October 22, 2015. AFP PHOTO / FRANCOIS GUILLOT

Raf Simons has quit as creative director at Christian Dior after more than three years, the fashion house has announced.

Raf Simons is saying farewell to Dior after three years as creative director of the French fashion label.
Raf Simons is saying farewell to Dior after three years as creative director of the French fashion label.
The collection he presented at the Paris fashion shows earlier this month was his last for the French label.

“It’s after deep reflection that I have decided to quit my post as creative director for Christian Dior’s women’s collection,” the Belgian designer said in a statement.

A look from Simons’ spring/summer 2016 collection for Dior shown in Paris this month.
A look from Simons’ spring/summer 2016 collection for Dior shown in Paris this month.
A look from Simons’ spring/summer 2016 collection for Dior shown in Paris this month.
A look from Simons’ spring/summer 2016 collection for Dior shown in Paris this month.
“It’s a decision founded on one hand by my desire to concentrate on other centres of interest in my life, notably my own label, as well as the passions that motivate me beyond my professional activities,” he said, adding that it had been an “immense privilege” to work for Dior.

The 47-year-old took over in April 2012 after British designer John Galliano was fired following a scandal over anti-Semitic insults he made in a Paris bar that were caught on camera.

Bernard Arnault, head of LVMH which owns the label, and Dior CEO Sidney Toledano released a statement saying they respected Simons’ decision and ”warmly thank him for his exceptional creative contribution”.