The rumours were true. Raf Simons has been announced as the new chief creative officer of Calvin Klein, with his second in command Pieter Mulier acting as creative director. The company confirmed the widely-circulated rumour with a statement posted on Instagram this afternoon.

The announcement follows the news that Calvin Klein’s creative directors Francisco Costa and Italo Zucchelli were leaving the brand, and that the label would be unified under one vision. Now we know whose vision that is. 

Simons will make his Calvin Klein debut for AW17 next year.

Of course, there will be some who may be confused by the news – after all, in the press release announcing his departure from Christian Dior, Simons said, “It is a decision based entirely and equally on my desire to focus on other interests in my life, including my own brand, and the passions that drive me outside my work.” A few weeks later, he lamented the breakneck pace of fashion in a tell-all interview with System magazine – “there is no more thinking time,” he said. “And I don’t want to do collections where I’m not thinking.”

Such a high-powered role at Calvin Klein is hardly a step away from the pace of fashion, however Simons will creatively oversee everything from denim to underwear and fragrance at the brand – a lack of complete creative control is something which was said to have frustrated him in his previous role.

Read the full statement below: