Raf Simons Is Leaving Calvin Klein

The designer will be stepping down from his role as chief creative officer after two years.

Earlier today, PVH, the company that owns Calvin Klein announced that designer Raf Simons will be stepping down from his role immediately.

As WWD reported, Emanuel Chirico, chief executive officer of PVH, expressed disappointment in the brand's sales. In a statement released by PVH, it “decided on a new brand direction which differs from Simons' creative vision.”

Simons joined Calvin Klein after finding success at European houses Jil Sander and Christian Dior. Since his appointment as the chief creative officer at Calvin Klein two years ago, the visionary Belgian has breathed new energy into the New York scene with designs that balanced modernity and the brand’s heritage. Calvin Klein shows became the highlight of New York Fashion Week and in his brief tenure at the brand, he won three CFDA Awards for his work.

Calvin Klein has announced that they will be skipping the upcoming New York Fashion Week in February in an effort to regroup. Though it’s unclear what is in the works, Simons will still be showing his namesake label.