Raf Simons To Dior: Report

Could it be -- Christian Dior has finally chosen a new designer??

According to Women's Wear Daily, the day is indeed getting closer. Raf Simons, currently creative director for Jil Sander, is reportedly in talks with Dior to become the storied house's next couturier.

While the job has sat vacant for nearly a year, after former creative director John Galliano's arrest and "I love Hitler" debacle, Simons' name had been in the back of many industry insiders' minds for consideration. In an August 22 blog post, New York Times critic Cathy Horyn suggested Simons as one of three good possibilities for the Dior job.

But shortly thereafter, a brief rumor emerged that Simons would be taking over for Stefano Pilati at Yves Saint Laurent, based on a Suzy Menkes review in the International Herald Tribune. That rumor was quickly debunked and the fate of both Simons and Dior seemed inconclusive.

Now WWD reports that a deal bringing Simons, a Belgian designer, to Christian Dior is close. There are a few hurdles to jump, the key one being Simon's current contract at Jil Sander, which is supposedly not due to expire anytime soon.

Secondly, notes WWD, even if Simons accepts the job now, it's unlikely that he will have time to produce a couture collection in time for January nor an entire Fall 2010 collection for March fashion week.

Still Sanders could make a good fit for Christian Dior, whose owners LVMH have been searching for months. Marc Jacobs, once considered the frontrunner, seemed to turn down the job last month, as did Phoebe Philo, Riccardo Tisci, Alber Elbaz and Nicolas Ghesquiere.

As for now, WWD reports that Dior officials could not be reached for comment. Stay tuned, people! And read more here.