From The Straits Times    |

raf simons on galliano main .jpgRaf Simons believes it is often designers who put pressure on themselves, not their labels.

Following Lee ‘Alexander’ McQueen’s suicide in 2010 and John Galliano’s meltdown last year – which resulted in him being found guilty of making anti-Semitic comments during an argument in Paris and checking into rehab – there has been intense pressure on the fashion industry. It has been argued there is too much pressure put on the top designers from label bosses, especially with the amount of couture, ready-to-wear and resort collections now deemed necessary.

Simons took over from Galliano at Christian Dior this year and insists much of the stress some designers feel is self-induced.

“I think they know very well up until which point they can push it. We had talks about that. It’s very often said outside that it’s the company who pushes, but at the end of the day you are a human being and a strong personality or you wouldn’t be in this place anyway. You know I have very good relationships with a lot of designers. But honestly? I think mostly it’s themselves who want it,” he told British Vogue.

“I don’t know why but it gives me a physically uncomfortable feeling to be the middle point of the attention. It was the same when I was 13 and had to go in front of the class and read this thing that we had to prepare. If I come out after the show, I look like an idiot running through that space. I have no problem talking to people but I do find it difficult if I become a marionette for the simple reason I am not the face of this company.”

Simons is famed for only briefly showing his face after his collections have hit the runway. He is pleased that Bernard Arnault, who is the majority share holder of Dior, wants him to take more a backseat that Galliano did.

“I think Mr. Arnault wants to have more reality maybe, with the people he chooses now,” Simons added. – COVER MEDIA