JIL SANDER announces today that it has named Mr. Raf Simons as its new Creative Director, effective July 1, 2005.
Simons will be responsible for the Jil Sander women's and men's collections, starting with the Fall/Winter 2006 season to be presented in Milan at the beginning of 2006.
Born in Neerpelt, Belgium in 1968, Raf Simons graduated in industrial design and started his career as a furniture designer for galleries and private interiors. Always interested in fashion, Raf Simons debuted with his own collection in 1995 and since then, has won a number of prestigious international awards in the fashion industry. In addition, Raf Simons was appointed head professor at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna in 2000.
“I couldn't be happier to work for a brand as pure and clean as Jil Sander,” Raf Simons declared. “I am eager to carry forward the simple, pristine design that the Jil Sander name has come to represent. There is a strong affinity between how I perceive my own design and the core values that the Jil Sander brand embraces.”
“We are excited about this decision, which we have made together with the PRADA Group,” said Gian Giacomo Ferraris, Chief Executive Officer of JIL SANDER. “Working with Raf Simons will ensure strong continuity in the product that has distinguished the JIL SANDER brand throughout the world.”
