If you’ve been paying any kind of attention to fashion news for the past several months, you know that observers are foaming at the mouth to find out who will replace John Galliano at Christian Dior, and how the open position will change the high fashion landscape. This season, you aren’t stylish unless you’re blowing hot air about designers’ employment prospects. (Bernard Arnault, I think you’re a good man, but if you don’t hire someone for the position like, yesterday, the universe might implode from all the dramatic tension.) And so the Raf Simons story blew up on Twitter over the weekend because fashion never sleeps and I guess there weren’t any good parties? Oh, and Suzy Menkes also happens to be one of the most high profile fashion journalists around: from her lips, gossip instantly becomes gold.
Before the world spun irreparably out of control, YSL released a statement. Rolling its eyes, the French fashion house dropped the name that had been missing from Menkes’ original report and edged Raf Simons out of the picture: “Yves Saint Laurent disclaims and regards as unfounded the current rumors concerning the creative direction of the house. Stefano Pilati continues to dedicate his talent and energies to Yves Saint Laurent and the coming fashion show.” Elle UK had a talk with Jil Sander, and was able to confirm that Simons had renewed his contract for another two years.
So here’s what we know about the current state of YSL: there are some rumors that Raf Simons will take the helm at the label, but the label remains committed to its relationship with Stefano Pilati. Raf Simons is renewing his contract with Jil Sander.
Nothing to see here, move along.
At Jil Sander, Raf Simons Plays With Modernism – NYTimes
Raf Rumours Not True, Sander Contract Renewed – Elle UK
