Calvin Klein Confirms Raf Simons's Hire

Update, 8/2: After months of rumors swirling, Calvin Klein has officially confirmed the hire of Raf Simons as its new chief creative officer. The brand announced the news in a statement shared on Facebook, detailing Simons new role at the American fashion brand.

The new hire follows the announcement of Calvin Klein's new global strategy, introduced back in April. CEO of Calvin Klein, Steve Shiffman said in a statement:

"The arrival of Raf Simons as Chief Creative Officer signifies a momentous new chapter for Calvin Klein. Not since Mr. Klein himself was at the company has it been led by one creative visionary, and I am confident that this decision will drive the Calvin Klein brand and have a significant impact on its future. Raf's exceptional contributions have shaped and modernized fashion as we see it today and, under his direction, Calvin Klein will further solidify its position as a leading global lifestyle brand."

Following a three-year stint as creative director at Dior, the move marks Simons first foray into American fashion. It was announced just last month that Simons would be replaced by Valentino's Maria Grazia Chiuri at Dior. Fashion's never-ending game of designer musical chairs continues—and Simons taking the helm at Calvin Klein will surely be one to watch.

Read the full statement on Simons's new hire at Calvin Klein below:

Original Article, 6/9: Calvin Klein (the person) may have just dropped a major hint at the next creative director of Calvin Klein (the brand). During an interview with Andy Cohen at Sirius XM, the designer discussed his nakesake label as well as the void that's been left since Francisco Costa stepped down as creative director back in April.

When it came to revealing the fashion house's next creative director, Klein didn't name any names but he did drop a major bombshell hint at who could be lined up. For months now, the fashion industry has speculated that Raf Simons, who exited Dior back in October 2015, would be headed to Calvin Klein. Simons has been the only candidate rumored to fill Costa's shoes and Klein seemed to hint at that in his statement, "They just finally made changes in the design staff. They won't announce [who it is] publicly because it's under contract. But the whole industry knows."

Simons's non-compete agreement with LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton is set to expire at the end of July, just in time for Calvin Klein to announce a new creative director before Spring 2017 collections kick off in September. Let the designer musical chairs-watch begin.

From: Harper's BAZAAR US