Raf Simons has a new gig. Starting on April 2, the Belgian designer will join Prada as a co-creative director alongside Miuccia Prada.
“This partnership, encompassing all creative facets of the Prada label, is born from a deep reciprocal respect and from an open conversation – it is a mutual decision, proposed and determined by both parties,” the Italian brand said in a statement. “It opens a new dialogue, between designers widely acknowledged as two of the most important and influential of today.”
In addition to overseeing his own eponymous line, Simons has also enjoyed stints at Jil Sander and Dior. More recently he was appointed creative director of Calvin Klein, where his contributions to the American brand were met with a mixed response. (Read: people liked the clothes but they weren’t buying them.) He unceremoniously stepped down from the brand at the end of 2018. Since his departure, rumors of where Simons would land next moved circulated throughout the industry.
The combination of Prada’s classic elegance with Simons’ affinity for youth and club culture will no doubt breathe new life into the historic label. The first collection with his co-sign will be presented in September in Milan for Spring 2021.
