Calvin Klein names Raf Simons as new chief creative officer

Calvin Klein welcomes Raf Simons as the brand’s appointed Chief Creative Officer. https://t.co/GZedmLI21x pic.twitter.com/myQA8rME5G

— calvinklein (@CalvinKlein) August 2, 2016

NEW YORK – Calvin Klein Inc. has named Belgian designer Raf Simons as chief creative officer of the brand.

Simons, a former creative director at Christian Dior who is known for his minimalist and linear style, will oversee all aspects of design, global marketing, communications and visual creative services. His first collection will make its debut for the fall 2017 season.

The move follows Calvin Klein’s announcement in April that Calvin Klein Collections designers Francisco Costa and Italo Zucchelli would leave the company, reflecting a global strategy that brings all the Calvin Klein brands under one creative vision.

Calvin Klein, owned by PVH Corp., has said the evolution began with the 2013 reacquisition of its jeans and underwear businesses by buying Warnaco Group. PVH also owns Tommy Hilfiger, Van Heusen and Izod.