Raf Simons Becomes Co-Creative Director at Prada

What is not in doubt is that if it does succeed, it will not only create a natural heir to the Prada crown, answering outstanding questions of succession, but will also force a reckoning of sorts in the fashion world about the importance of the designer contribution. Perhaps even sparking a rebellion of sorts among other creatives, who increasingly have been treated — and seem to view themselves — as work for hire.

Along with the acclaim that greeted a one-season-only collaboration by Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix, who returned to fashion for it after having LVMH sell his brand in 2005 and its new owners strip it down to parts in 2009, the Simons-Prada arrangement could signal a different stage in the debate that has raged across the industry about its own value system, and whether great and unexpected products lead to great businesses or whether it is great promotion and market research that leads to great businesses, and the products are secondary.

Mr. Simons, who declined to answer questions about whether he had been given an equity stake in the business, officially begins at Prada in April. He is looking for an apartment in Milan, and will live between Italy and Antwerp, where his own company is based. Mrs. Prada will continue to design the Miu Miu line on her own.

Their first joint collection will be for spring 2021. “I am so thrilled and looking forward to September,” Mrs. Prada said.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/23/style/fashion-prada-milan-fashion-week.html