Raf Simons, Calvin Klein and the Voldemort factor
Calvin Klein and Raf Simons “amicably” parted ways.
A press release said “Calvin Klein, Inc. decided on a new brand direction which differs from Simons’s creative vision.”
After just two years. And million of dollars of investments.
Key learnings still ignored:
- Creative Directors don’ t have the magic wand, they are not Harry Potter, they don’t do miracles
- Fashion brands should not pick the big name just to make buzz and gain short term appraisal by the shareholders without deeply sharing the same vision, strategy
- The relaunch of a brand must start from a global 360° strategy. The creative director is just a gear in the machine and NOT the brand
- In case of business troubles, to be consistent, the company should terminate the CEO as well
- Strategic executives are a must for a company listed at the stock exchange. The Creative Director cannot be put in charge of the company strategy
- The company top executives committee must be made accountable for the success or the failure of the strategy
- Gucci overnight success IS NOT a benchmark
There is no Voldemort to be killed in fashion business.
The enemy is the lack of visionand the hire and fire attitude.
The evil is a short term and scapegoat management.
