Fashion critics cold on designer for Dior job

  • 12 years ago
A toned-down version of elegance for Christian Dior.

The autumn/winter collection at Paris Fashion Week on Friday, (March 2) saw Dior's classic silhouette of full skirts and cinched waists take on a ballet-like flair.

The man behind the clothes is Dior deputy BIll Gaytten - who took over a year ago when John Galliano was fired for making anti-Semitic slurs.

But Gaytten is thought to only be the stand-in and rumours have been flying as to who'll fill Galliano's shoes.

The current pick - is this man - Raf Simons.

He recently announced he was leaving fashion house Jil Sander, but the idea of him at the Dior helm has fashion critics wary.

SOUNDBITE: European Editor, Fashion Wire Daily Godfrey Deene, saying: (English)

"No, absolute nonsense. No, they (Dior) may have well seen 20-30 designers and they very well may have seen him. Let's not forget, the reason Galliano was fired was because a video came out where he declared he loved Hitler. The last Raf Simons men's show, the people all looked like SS officers on the prowl. (French newspaper) Le Figaro men's critics said it was 'fascisme ultime', 'fascism ultimate', so he's not going to get that job."

SOUNDBITE: Fashion journalist Vix Foster, saying: (English)

"I don't think he would be particularly the best person for the job because he does amazing work and he did amazing work at Jil Sander and I think that his style however is a lot more modern and very minimalistic and very sharp. And I think Dior because of its heritage, has the softness, the femininity, the French, Parisian and plus, can Raf do couture?

That appears to be the big question.

Nickie Omer, Reuters.

Recommended