Raf Simons to head up Dior?

Raf Simons rumoured to replace John Galliano at Dior

Since disgraced Dior designer John Galliano was sensationally sacked earlier this year, rumours have been rife about who would next head up the Parisian fashion house.

First Marc Jacobs, creative director at Louis Vuitton, was tipped for the title but now a new strong contender has emerged, by way of Raf Simons.

PICS: MARC JACOBS S/S 2012

Industry insiders say Dior have been heavily courting Simons, creative director of Jil Sander, and are keen for him to take over the reins before the haute couture season in January.

The Belgian-born designer has been whipping up a storm at Milan-based Jil Sander since 2005 and his signature minimalist, aesthetic collections would be a significant shift away from the grand theatrical era of Galliano.

PICS: JIL SANDER S/S 2012

Simons may have become the front runner to head the grand French fashion house but his current contract with Sander, which was renewed in June, may be something of a problem.

In September rumours also circled that Simons was decamping to YSL to replace beleguered Stefano Pilati.

In the saga that dominated headlines, Dior lost it's flamboyant grand head John Galliano this summer after the designer was found guilty of racial and anti-semitic crimes by a Parisan court.

NEWS: JOHN GALLIANO VERDICT

With January's haute couture season fast approaching, all eyes will be on the fashion house, and subsequent creative director, to continue the Dior legacy....

Who would you want to head Dior? Is your style minimal like Simons or grand like Galliano? Tell us in the box below...