Raf Simons

Name: Raf Simons

Occupation: Chief Creative Officer at Calvin Klein

Industry: Fashion

How he got started: The Belgian designer started with a background in industrial and furniture design. After being inspired by Martin Margiela's all-white 1991 show and receiving some prodding from the head of the fashion department at the Antwerp Royal Academy, Simons started his namesake label as a self-trained menswear designer.

Notable achievements: Besides his legacy at his eponymous brand, Raf Simon's tenure at Jil Sander and his revamp of the brand put the designer on everybody's radar. Seven years at Sander marked the time for Simons to move on. He left with an appointment as creative director of Dior, ending the transitional period following John Galliano's infamous dismissal from the role. He stayed at Dior for three and a half years and departed on account of a "desire to focus on other interests in life."

Currently at: As of August 2, 2016, Raf Simons was named Chief Creative Officer at Calvin Klein, which gave him full creative control over all aspects of design, global marketing and communications, and visual creative services of the brand and its multiple lines.