Raf Simons has unexpectedly left Dior after three and a half years as creative director. His last show for the house was Dior’s SS16 presentation at Paris Fashion Week on October 2nd.

There was no bad blood between Simons and Dior’s parent company, LVMH. On the contrary, Dior prospered under Simons’ creative vision and sales grew by 60% during his tenure. It is believed that Simons decided to leave the company for personal reasons. In a statement reported by WWD, Simons explained:

“It is after careful and long consideration that I have decided to leave my position as Creative Director of Christian Dior Couture Women’s collection. It is a decision, based entirely and equally on my desire to focus on other interests in my life, including my own brand, and the passions that drive me outside of my work. Christian Dior is an extraordinary company, and it has been an immense privilege to be allowed to write a few pages of this magnificent book.”

Simons was always frank about the stress of the workload at Dior; every year he was required to helm six runway shows, two being demanding haute couture presentations. Perhaps he just needs a well deserved rest.

Now the question is, who will be the next creative director at Dior?

See Raf Simon’s last show for Dior below