Raf Simons Leaving Christian Dior; Maria Chiuri Rumored In

[Creative]

You're seriously comparing Jonathan Saunders with Lindsey Lohan..?

Oh well... You should read before commenting. No one compared Saunders with Lohan. I was talking about appointments made by fashion brands. And Saunders for a mega-brand like Dior, the second most important house in the world after Chanel, doesn't make any sense. Lindsay Lohan was hired to bring some hype to Ungaro, something desperate, but Ungaro had zero prestige and was dead. It wasn't a big deal, if it didn't work who cared.

So yes, if this is true, it will be the weirdest appointment ever made by a fashion house. I'm still in shock actually.

 

[Creative]

Oh, and if those things are a preview of what is to come... Those dresses are as average as a fashion garment can get. That's the best he can do? Everything is so done, so cliché, so normal, so meh. There were nicer clothes in Lindsay's debut as a designer. ink: Also, the long dress is so ill-fitting! That's a problem I used to have with him some years ago, the fit of the clothes, he has fixed it as of late though. And he doesn't know how to do long dresses, maybe that's his biggest weakness. They always look poorly designed and quite heavy-handed and clumsy. Quite fashionschoolish.

 

[anlabe32]

I just can't understand this. It's such sad and weird news. At least Raf was and is a star. He was greatly missed when he left Jil Sander. I'm sure a handful of people missed but Saunders, but not more than a few.

So to appoint a mediocre, unknown designer to lead Dior is just... baffling.

 

[JoCaderone]

I don't think it's real. WWD and Vogue are way too silent at this time.

 

[george5]

WWD and Vogue are way too silent at this time.

Yes, it's intriguing how Dior (or a credible source) hasn't said a word about this. I guess Jonathan will be in charge of the Resort collection to test the waters and then They'll make choice ?

 

[Crying Diamonds]

Oh well... You should read before commenting. No one compared Saunders with Lohan. I was talking about appointments made by fashion brands. And Saunders for a mega-brand like Dior, the second most important house in the world after Chanel, doesn't make any sense. Lindsay Lohan was hired to bring some hype to Ungaro, something desperate, but Ungaro had zero prestige and was dead. It wasn't a big deal, if it didn't work who cared.

So yes, if this is true, it will be the weirdest appointment ever made by a fashion house. I'm still in shock actually.

Wow you sure like that emoticon, maybe you should check out Chanel's latest collection for some variety; a brand headed by someone else who needs a serious taste overhaul.

Dior needs beautiful, wearable clothes and after Raf, desperately some colour. A lot of huge designers were practically unknown before they were given a House.
With the appointment of Bouchra Jarrar at Lanvin and now possibly Jonathan Saunders at Dior, the Houses are giving the lesser-known designers the chance to express themselves just as they did in the 90s at Dior and Givenchy. It is hugely refreshing and exciting to see what they produce.

 

[Zazie]

I used to like Saunders' early collections but I got bored as he never made the leap. If they need a Raf-like designer why not Paulo Melim Andersson (who's underworked at Zadig Voltaire) or Rabih Kayrouz or even trusty Chalayan? They are conceptual couturiers with huge potential. Saunders unfortunately suffers from the British tradition of learning only to cut a certain way that is somewhat Saville Row influenced (look at Sarah Burton), sleeves, bodice, skirt or trousers. With the exception of Westwood, a contemporary of Galliano. Dior needs flou, doubtful that Saunders can deliver.

 

[Benn98]

Yikes, didn't know Saunders had so many detractors! I can count the positive comments on one hand. This will be a bumpy ride. Maybe we should wait and see what he does with his first collection. I personally find it refreshing because I'm not too sure what to expect. It's almost as though people are saying 'I've seen x number of his collections, so I doubt he can bring anything new to the table'. He's a creative, there's no way of telling when, or if, he'll have reached his zenith.

 

[fashionista-ta]

Oh, and if those things are a preview of what is to come... Those dresses are as average as a fashion garment can get. That's the best he can do? Everything is so done, so cliché, so normal, so meh. There were nicer clothes in Lindsay's debut as a designer. ink: Also, the long dress is so ill-fitting! That's a problem I used to have with him some years ago, the fit of the clothes, he has fixed it as of late though. And he doesn't know how to do long dresses, maybe that's his biggest weakness. They always look poorly designed and quite heavy-handed and clumsy. Quite fashionschoolish.

I don't see the charmeuse dress as ill-fitting. Yes, it's revealing, but who's to say that's not what he intended? It can also happen that models aren't wearing the foundations that the average woman would.

 

[tricotineacetat]

Olivier Theyskens is still the only one designer I could see fitting well with Dior. I understand the necessity of a contemporary vision for the house, but when we're talking about a maison of that size that can be considered a national heirloom just like YSL and Chanel, it's necessary that the clothes speak of a certain 'grandeur' and aspiration. Olivier Theyskens runway imagery is recognizable and strong and can easily be turned into bold advertising imagery for perfume and cosmetics as much as for ready to wear.

 

[Creative]

Yikes, didn't know Saunders had so many detractors! I can count the positive comments on one hand. This will be a bumpy ride. Maybe we should wait and see what he does with his first collection.

I actually think he doesn't have so many detractors. It's just that we are surprised that he is being considered for Dior.

It was the same for Raf (although I was sort of fine with the idea, even though I knew it wasn't going to work). I hated what he did for Dior but I think he is super talented.

This time, though, is more about Saunders not having the 'genius' factor. He is just your next door designer.


I also think Olivier would be a good fit, but at the same time... I'm not that sure. He would do wonders for couture, but his rtw shows don't have the 'it' factor, they are gorgeous but not influential. Although Raf shows didn't have the 'hip' factor either in a Gucci/YSL/Balenciaga way.

Besides, I think his aesthetics are quite passé now. But at the same time, fashion is sort of craving for that kind of things. It would be the right moment for them to come.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure Saunders got the job. Maybe top designers don't want to do it?

 

[anlabe32]

Talk about passé and mention Olivier Theyskens. No offense but there's a reason why he's still out of a job. His aesthetic is so 2007/2008. Completely out of touch.

Dior needs someone modern like Raf. I'm absolutely convinced the Dior sales have gone up tremendously since he took over. He refreshed/revived the brand, a brand that was quite dead for a while. Since I have no idea what Jonathan Saunders' aesthetic is cause none of his collections ever made an impression on me, I'm just so shocked they would go for someone so irrelevant.

 

[dior_couture1245]

Olivier Theyskens is still the only one designer I could see fitting well with Dior. I understand the necessity of a contemporary vision for the house, but when we're talking about a maison of that size that can be considered a national heirloom just like YSL and Chanel, it's necessary that the clothes speak of a certain 'grandeur' and aspiration. Olivier Theyskens runway imagery is recognizable and strong and can easily be turned into bold advertising imagery for perfume and cosmetics as much as for ready to wear.

I completely agree, and always have felt that since Galliano, Theyskens is the only designer who could really do something worthwhile for the maison…the only one who's contribution would be important for both the history and the future of the house. Olivier would add a very, very meaningful chapter to the house of Dior.

He's one of the very few designers today who has a strong enough sense of identity, purpose and a complete enough vision to handle a house that needs a visual identity to extend beyond the clothes to campaigns, to fragrances, to celebrity endorsements, to handbags, to events, etc. A brand this big and this historic and this linked to a culture's identity needs someone who actually has a unique enough perspective to create something larger than life - something that can capture people's imagination. A pretty dressmaker will kill the prestige of this brand.

 

[TaylorBinque]

As a huge house of Dior fan, I do think that Jonathan Sauders has a very sophisticated yet modern hand. I am still not sure how he will handle a flagship house like Dior but he will sure have to pull off one hell of a collection to prove himself. I do love his womenswear, they are luxe and flattering and he definitely knows how to use colors. I think Dior might be after someone who has the balance of Raf and John.

 

[squilliam]

Jonathan Saunders has nice wearable clothes, but he just seems like some forgettable new York Fashion week designer, he's nothing special. I thought they would bring someone like Theyskens or Elbaz, someone with concise sophisticated concept and a noteworthy distinct vision

 

[Lola701]

From what i've heard from various people it's not official at all. One of the rumour is that he may act as a consultant for the resort show.
The most important collection will be the Couture because it is the heart of the house and because of a much more important media coverage.

As nothing is official, i'm still rooting for Elbaz and Tisci...or even Giles (even if i want him to take over McQueen).

Dior needs a designer with a proper identity. Dior is not Vuitton. The clothes are not the "faire-valoir" of the bags. It's the contrary.
The problem with Raf is that it was really a transition period. Raf at Dior was the answer to the market that was all about minimalism and Phoebe Philo.

The problem with Dior is that it is a house that has the reputation of "killing" it designers.
It is the only fashion "Couture" house where the designers seems to be oppressed by the system....mainly because it is a house where the designer doesn't really have a total creative control.
I guess it is really hard for them to attract stars with egos and big demands.

While Dior is an important fashion house, Chanel is still the job everybody is dreaming of.

 

[jeanclaude]

I would see more suitable to put Ghesquière at Dior; and then find another designer for Vuitton.

 

[Marc10]

I would see more suitable to put Ghesquière at Dior; and then find another designer for Vuitton.

Speaking of this, the EiC of Vogue Brazil said that she heard during PFW that Nicolas was in talks with Dior, and that Jonathan Anderson would be brought from Loewe to take over Vuitton. Probably just another rumor tho...

 

[Creative]

I would see more suitable to put Ghesquière at Dior; and then find another designer for Vuitton.

That was my first wish. But Ghesquière is not the genius he once was, and his Vuitton is just beyond tiring, sort of pretentious and very ugly. If he is going to do something like that at Dior I rather have Elbaz (although his time might be over too) or Olivier (I'm warming up to this idea more and more). Dior_couture is right I guess.

Anyway, Nicolas is one of the best designers ever, he is maybe the best one alive and it would be the finishing touch of an epic career.

 

[jeanclaude]

That was my first wish. But Ghesquière is not the genius he once was, and his Vuitton is just beyond tiring, sort of pretentious and very ugly. If he is going to do something like that at Dior I rather have Elbaz (although his time might be over too) or Olivier (I'm warming up to this idea more and more). Dior_couture is right I guess.

Anyway, Nicolas is one of the best designers ever, he is maybe the best one alive and it would be the finishing touch of an epic career.

I don´t like Nicolas work at Vuitton either. Maybe in Dior he could get his mojo back...but anyway, after his tenure at Balenciaga, I think the next logical step would be to take over Dior. And let´s forget about the Vuitton phase!