Raf Simons for Dior: By Numbers

 

[Image via New York Times].

So, the news has finally broken that John Galliano's successor at Christian Dior will be Raf Simons. Although this was not totally unexpected, as many fashion insiders had assumed that Simons would be the natural replacement, especially once he left Jil Sander to allow its eponymous creator to take over, but then there's always room for surprises. Who knew whether LVMH would play it safe, at a time when there were so many contenders in line to take the throne? I do feel that they have made the right decision and that Simons will be able to modernise Dior without making it lose its identity. Here's a look at the takeover, and the successor's background, in numbers:

1 - the amount of compensation in Euros, payed to each of the two victims of John Galliano's anti-Semitic verbal attacks.

6 - the number of couturiers that the house of Christian Dior has had, including Raf Simons.

12 - the quantity of pieces in Simons' collection for Fred Perry in 2008. 

14 - years John Galliano spent at the helm of Dior.

21 - the age at which Yves Saint Laurent took over at Dior.

44 - Simons' age.

66 - years that the house of Dior has existed.

1995 - the year Simons started as a menswear designer.

1947-1957 - Raf Simons' favourite Dior period.

2005 - the year he became Creative Director of Jil Sander.

2500 - the number of mourners at Christian Dior's funeral in 1957.

I think this is going to be a really positive move for Simons, especially after his move from Jil Sander. Whilst many people may be annoyed to not see Marc Jacobs taking up the position at Dior, I feel that Jacobs is already juggling enough with his work for Louis Vuitton and his own collections (the main line and Marc by Marc Jacobs, not to mention several perfumes). In contrast, Simons is ready to adapt to Dior's needs and he'll be able to devote himself to the brand. I'm sure that he will make an excellent Artistic Director and he will bring something new to the table, without the pomp and circumstance of Galliano - not to mention the scandal. Here's to the future, with Raf at the helm.