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Raf Simons to join Prada as co-creative director

Raf Simons, Chief Creative Officer of Calvin Klein, acknowledges attendees after presenting creations from the Calvin Klein Spring/Summer 2019 collection at New York Fashion Week, New York, U.S., September 11, 2018.  REUTERS/Andrew Kelly - RC19CF1D0840
Raf Simons, Chief Creative Officer of Calvin Klein, acknowledges attendees after presenting creations from the Calvin Klein Spring/Summer 2019 collection at New York Fashion Week, New York, U.S., September 11, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly - RC19CF1D0840
After months of speculation and rumours, Prada has confirmed that designer Raf Simons will join Miuccia Prada as co-creative director of the Prada label.

After months of speculation and rumours, Prada has confirmed that designer Raf Simons will join Miuccia Prada as co-creative director of the Prada label.

Since departing Calvin Klein as the creative director in 2018, Simons’ – who already hast the likes of Dior and Jil Sander on his resume – next move has been greatly anticipated by the fashion world. While the move is undoubtedly a gamechanger, Simons and Prada have known each other for well over a decade.

The pair are rumoured to have first met when Simons was appointed the position of creative director at Jil Sander in 2005 which was owned by Prada Group at the time. Over the years the pair have remained close and have hinted at partnerships in the past. 

At a press conference on Sunday night in Milan, Simons spoke at length about the partnership. He was approached by Bertelli after his stint at Calvin Klein and the timing couldn’t have been better. “Miuccia and I had a conversation about creativity in today’s fashion system. And it brought me to open dialogue with many designers, not just Mrs Prada,” he said Sunday. “We have to re-look at how creativity can evolve in today’s fashion system.”

Raf Simons

Backstage at Prada’s recent AW20/21 show in Milan.

“Conceptually, it is also a new approach to the very definition of creative direction for a fashion brand,” the press release—the press release!—reads, “a strong challenge to the idea of singularity of creative authorship, whilst also a bold reinforcement of the importance and power of creativity in a shifting cultural landscape.” A

The alliance will become official on 1 April, and the pair will debut their first collection together in Milan in September with their Spring/Summer 2021 show. Simons will continue to run his eponymous clothing brand, Raf Simons.

The groundbreaking alliance puts to rest talk, for the time being, of who will succeed Miuccia Prada, who turned 70 last year, when she retires.

 

 

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