Raf Simons claims John Galliano’s work is no longer relevant.
The Dior creative director took over from Galliano earlier this year, after he was sacked for anti-Semitic behaviour, and while he has always admired his creations, Raf doesn’t think his work represents the modern woman.
He said: "I have so much respect for John [Galliano]’s technical skill and the fantasy, it’s just something that I don’t find relevant now, especially when it restricts a woman, because in every other area they have so much freedom."
Raf’s first two collections for Dior – couture fall/winter 2012 and spring/summer 2013 – both received critical acclaim, and he’s been praised for his ability to fuse Dior’s traditional ideals with contemporary styling, bringing the house up to date without losing any of its unique charm or history.
Before taking the helm at the French fashion house, Raf was working at Jil Sander and said he knew the time was right for him to leave.
He told Vogue Australia: "I felt more like a psychiatrist than a designer in the end, just to keep my team’s spirits up."