PRADA

Belgian designer Raf Simons will join Prada as co-creative director on Thursday, April 2, to work alongside head designer Miuccia Prada. The announcement was made last month during Milan Fashion Week.

“The fashion industry is moving more and more towards an industry that might end up excluding creatives,” Simons said. “I see more and more the possibility of having a strong business without strong creation. That is something we do not agree with, Miuccia and myself, and I know for a fact many designers do not agree. We should not forget in this business about creativity.”

The company said, in a statement: “The distinct values and ethos of the Prada brand remain unchanged: this radical creative dialogue, indeed, is a reiteration of the philosophies of both Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons. It is perfectly in tune with each designer’s individual history of reinvention, provocation, brave exploration and the power of ideas – now, brought together.”

Simons, who will continue to design for his eponymous menswear line, was previously at Calvin Klein, where he was credited with revitalising the American brand with his hip European sensibility, before quitting at the end of 2018. He has also worked at Dior and Jil Sander. The move is being lauded as a bold and exciting step for the brand. Simons will create menswear and womenswear lines in his new role, with Prada’s first joint show scheduled for September in Milan. www.prada.com