After it was announced that the Jil Sander fashion house’s current creative director Raf Simons was stepping down after showing his Fall/Winter 12 catwalk offering at Milan, rumours abounded that Jil Sander would be returning to her namesake label.
Those rumours have now been confirmed.
“I am very happy and excited to be back. It feels like coming home after a brief journey," Sander said in a statement.
"The Jil Sander brand is ingrained in my very being, naturally, my vision of sophisticated, truly modern design stayed with me, as vivid as on the first day. Paradigms change and evolve from season to season, but the heart of a brand doesn't alter.
“It will be a great challenge and a greater joy to design Jil Sander's contemporary identity. I am convinced that the moment is as favourable as could be wished. The fashion world needs original voices and genuine signatures. I will do my best to, once again, join the choir.”
Sander started the fashion label in 1968 but parted ways with it in 2000 following a disagreement with how it was being run after Prada acquired a 75 per cent stake. She returned in 2003 but then left again after two years.
Simons’ decision to quit has led to speculation he will replace John Galliano at Christian Dior.
“It is a moving moment to welcome Jil Sander back, who created this unique fashion house and then shaped its rise into a highly estimated global brand. Jil Sander's human passion and visionary strength are a priceless force for the future of our company,” the label’s CEO Alessandro Cremonesi said.