10 Apr 2012

Dior appoints new artistic director

9:17 pm on 10 April 2012

One of the great fashion houses, Dior, has finally appointed a new artistic director after sacking its previous head over a racism scandal more than a year ago.

The Belgian designer Raf Simmons takes over from the disgraced John Galliano, who was dismissed after a drunken anti-semitic rant in a restaurant in Paris.

The British-born designer has since been convicted and fined by a French court and has apologised for his behaviour.

Simmons is known for his understated, even minimalist designs - a departure from Galliano's theatrical style - and will present his first show for Dior in July.