Raf Simons is leaving Calvin Klein more than eight months ahead of the end of his contract. The New York Times broke the news on Friday, revealing that Simons’ departure “is effective immediately.”

Simons first joined the American brand in August 2016, when he was given the title of chief creative officer. The Belgian designer, as well known for his cult menswear label as his well-regarded stints at Jil Sander and Dior, was hyped to bring some European cool to New York Fashion Week.

The New York Times notes that the relationship between Simons and the brand was irreparably fractured last month when the chief executive of the corporation that owns Calvin Klein apparently appeared to blame the chief creative officer for declining sales.

While his collections at Calvin Klein received praise within the industry, they failed to deliver commercial expectations.

“Both parties have amicably decided to part ways after decided on a new brand direction which differs from Simons’s creative vision,” parent company PVH Corp. said in a statement.

As a result of Simons’ departure, Calvin Klein will not be showing on the February 2019 New York Fashion Week calendar.

No successor has been named, and it’s unclear what the next steps will be for either the brand or the designer, but the news of his departure is sure to send shockwaves through the industry.

TLFB Team

TLFB Team

The Last Fashion Bible is an interactive hub of fashion and lifestyle-related video content, featuring a mix of both international and local runway shows, editorials, interviews, how-tos and much more.

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