Dior picks Simons to replace Galliano The Dior fashion house has picked Raf Simons to replace John Galliano, the British designer it sacked as its artistic director last year after he made anti-Semitic remarks. Simons confirmed his appointment in The New York Times yesterday. "I feel fantastic," said the 44-year-old Belgian. It is one of the ultimate challenges, and a dream to go to a place like Dior, which stands for absolute elegance, incredible femininity and utter luxury. Speculation that Simons would take the top job at the French fashion label, described by some as a "poisoned chalice," intensified in February when he stepped down as creative director at Jil Sander.