It turns out Dior isn’t replacing Raf any time soon

Last month Raf Simons announced his departure from Christian Dior where he had been creative director for just over three years. The fashion industry’s response was one of shock – and in the case of many, sadness. But quickly and ever so predictably, rumours started circulating about who might be appointed as the Belgian designer’s successor: from Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci to Céline’s Phoebe Philo and, more recently, Jonathan Saunders who announced the closure of his eponymous label earlier this week.

Yesterday however Dior announced that its new creative director won’t be installed any time soon, revealing its plans to design its next two collections (haute couture SS16 and ready-to-wear AW16) by its in-house team. According to WWD, the house “is said to be taking its time in its search for a successor to Simons, confident the house can continue its expansion drive in the interim without a star designer”.

As for Simons, he’s set to unveil his AW16 collection for his eponymous menswear label, which is characterised by its modernism and repeated reference to youth culture, at Paris Men’s Fashion Week in January. After he cited a wish to focus on his own brand as a reason behind his decision to resign from his post at Dior, it will be exciting to see what he has to offer this season.

Watch Dior SS16 (Raf Simons’ final show) below and check out the gallery above for backstage images.