Who Will Succeed John Galliano At Dior? #2 *Update Raf Simons Offically Hired*

[mikeijames]

i won't believe anything until dior, arnault, or anna confirms.

 

[LolaSvelt]

I've been completely out of the loop for the past few weeks. Had to idea Simons was rumoured to take the helm at Dior. It would be interesting, but I can imagine the bosses at Dior are so controlling that it would ruin his vision.

 

[Boomer]

From New York Magazine...

Just How Badly Does Dior Need a New Head Designer?

With the fashion weeks almost here again, it's time to return to that nearly year-old question of just what Dior plans to do with itself. John Galliano was fired from the label on March 1 of last year, coupled with a stinging admonishment from Natalie "Best Actress" Portman, following his painfully publicized anti-Semitic outbursts. The collections Galliano's right-hand man Bill Gaytten have been overseeing have drawn reactions as varied as shrugs and derision, and yet financial figures at Dior are fabulous. The brand announced a few months ago that sales for the first three quarters were up 27 percent from the same period a year ago.
So do they even need a replacement for Galliano? Fashion people seem to agree that yes, they do.
While Chanel suits continued to sell well after Coco Chanel's death in 1971, "in creative terms the house was at a standstill until the arrival of Karl Lagerfeld 12 years later," proclaims the AFP.

"You can manage without a designer for a season or two," argued Serge Carreira, a luxury sector expert and teacher at Sciences Po university in Paris. "But there is a limit, a brand must be regularly refreshed, renewed."
​

Experts say certain strengths of the Dior brand were in place well before Galliano left, such as great marketing campaigns for the Lady Dior handbag and J'Adore perfume, which sell quite well, thanks in part to the very varied assets of its stable of actress-models:

Charlize Theron offers a "glamorous ultra-femininity", Natalie Portman a "more consensual femininity", Marion Cotillard brings "classy, French sophistication" and the American Mila Kunis a touch of youth.
​

But of course these women cannot shoulder the burden of making sure we talk about and buy Dior things forever. Because eventually someone with a Big Important Vision will need to help pick new actresses to replace them, and disrupt the Dior-buying public's comfort with the status quo, which critics and the industry, a quickly bored set, certainly don't want to tolerate for much longer. Raf Simons, the most recent front-runner, says he has "nothing to say" about the rumors he's currently closer to taking over the house than any other designer (a position Marc Jacobs was also in — so, you know, grain of salt). But if Chanel lasted so long without a head designer, why can't Dior do the same? Why rush into a decision if sales are strong and no heir feels apparent? If they managed to muddle through just fine this past year, why rush a decision to replace the person who, to many, is irreplaceable?


Speaking of Galliano, he's disappeared to a place where even the paparazzi can't find him. But let's face it, that could easily just be a Vogue photo studio where he's preparing a fabulous portrait to go with a tell-all.

 

[j´adore dior]

Speaking of Galliano, he's disappeared to a place where even the paparazzi can't find him. But let's face it, that could easily just be a Vogue photo studio where he's preparing a fabulous portrait to go with a tell-all.

Hopefully

 

[tarsha]

Bill Gaytten Is Designing Three Collections Ahead for Dior

But until then, we hear from our source close to Dior that his couture collection, which is set to show on January 23, will be “sober” and “classic” Dior–back to basics. The collections will be presented in the original couture salons and feature a neutral palette with touches of fuchsia and red–Monsieur Dior’s favorite colors. We also hear a rumor that Gaytten is already at work on cruise and possibly even couture for July–so don’t expect an announcement about Dior anytime soon.

fashionista

 

[mackos]

Well, nice of them to warn us of one hell of a snoozefest to come, wake me up when they have a new designer announced.

 

[Littleathquakes]

so what are we in for? Couture 2012, F/W 2012, Resort 2012? that's 3 collections.

 

[Boomer]

^ Yes, which takes us through July...

 

[Pradable]

so what are we in for? Couture 2012, F/W 2012, Resort 2012? that's 3 collections.

Yeah! there's a possibility for Dior HC F/W 12.13 as well.

 

[Fatalefashion]

...Gimme, gimme, gimme more time!

 

[mistress_f]

Well, nice of them to warn us of one hell of a snoozefest to come, wake me up when they have a new designer announced.

these were exactly my thoughts. I won't be caring about dior at all until they decide to move on

 

[SnejanaIsMyMuse]

Perhaps they in fact know the person and are allowing the collections to continue under Gaytten while they form the necessary arrangements? I suppose that, as the article states, the selling of accessories negates any great need to move forward too abruptly.

 

[pen6693]

Let's hope he's learned more about what Dior really is, and doesn't give us bad collections.

 

[Salvatore]

After these three collections, people are going to be begging for Galliano's return.

 

[RaisinBoy]

Who should be at Dior? Well, Galliano. I think that whole thing was exaggerated. The whole industry knew that Galliano was not the toughest guy around and that he had problems. But they kept on demanding more and more and it ended that way.

Yes, it was unfortunate what he said, but the mass hatred was unbelievable. It was like if all people suddenly forgot that we all once said something really harsh. I think that apology would have sufficied, taking in account his condition. Alcohol, medicaments and possibly drugs - if I were under such pressure, I might have ended like that too.

I think it is too easy to smite someone without asking the reasons. He happened to be, in my opinion, the first victim of the today's fashion industry, where designers are often prisoners or perhaps even slaves of their brands. So I'd say he should be reinstalled and - although I'm not a fan of his work, but I recognise the genious he is - continue doing what he does best: Dior.

 

[Pradable]

Wow

 

[Thefrenchy]

Oh well. If they keep making profits, then just keep the guy. At the end of the day, it's the sales that matter; not who fashion fanatics think should be at the head of the house. When the sales start decreasing because people are tired of Gaytten's work, the Dior people will quickly find a new designer.

 

[RaisinBoy]

Oh well. If they keep making profits, then just keep the guy. At the end of the day, it's the sales that matter; not who fashion fanatics think should be at the head of the house. When the sales start decreasing because people are tired of Gaytten's work, the Dior people will quickly find a new designer.

It is truly sad that it works the way you described, but you are right. Now when the handbags matter... It is like there is not much space for fashion in the fashion industry.

 

[Thefrenchy]

^That's true. But fashion is an art form AND an industry. We (or many of us here) may focus on it as an art form but fashion has to be worn and not everyone is called Anna Dello Russo. Fashion has to be worn and seen in the streets, by people who don't give a damn about who made their dress.

I recently heard someone saying that you had to chose between being an artist, or being a brand. I think it perfectly sums up where we are today. Fashion houses, from Dior to Zara need people to buy their stuff on the largest scale possible in order to be profitable. Great artists who don't sell just can't survive, look at Christian Lacroix! The man is one of the most talented of all, yet he didn't sell well and had to stop. I believe that all he has now are licensing deals, which is tragic when you think of who he is and what he's capable of... As sad as it might be, one side of fashion is to be a business and business has rules.

 

[tarsha]

Okay, this is just crazy!!! Raf is not going to Dior. And Tom was asking too much! Status quo continues

twitter/veljkogavril