A History of Dior’s Search for a Creative Director

February 25, 2011: The Creative Director of Christian Dior , John Galliano, is “suspended” from his position after being arrested in Paris for making anti-Semitic remarks in a Paris bar. Police say he had drunk the equivalent of two bottles of wine. Dior CEO Sidney Toledano says in a statement: "Dior affirms with the utmost conviction its policy of zero tolerance towards any anti-Semitic or racist words or behaviour. Pending the results of the inquiry, Christian Dior has suspended John Galliano from his responsibilities." That same day a video is released of Galliano making similar comments at a Paris cafe that previous December. He's heard saying "I love Hitler... People like you would be dead. Your mothers, your forefathers would all be fucking gassed." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GngFQLo8rIY March 1st, 2011: Galliano is fired from Dior.

John Galliano at the Dior fashion show for autumn and winter 2010-2011. Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters

March 2nd, 2011: "I must take responsibility for the circumstances in which I found myself and for allowing myself to be seen to be behaving in the worst possible light. I only have myself to blame and I know that I must face up to my own failures and that I must work hard to gain people's understanding and compassion," says Galliano in a public statement. March 9th, 2011: The former creative director of Givenchy, Riccardo Tisci, is rumored to be a contender for the position.

Dior's flagship store on Avenue Montaigne in Paris

April 19th, 2011: WWD reports, Riccardo Tisci, Tom Ford, Hedi Slimane, Olivier Theyskens, Nicholas Ghesquière, Alber Elbaz, Haider Ackermann, Prabal Gurung and Sarah Burton are all reportedly on the list for Dior’s new creative director compiled by advisers to LVMH boss Bernard Arnault.

Dior's Fall 2011 Couture Show Source: Getty

July 4th, 2011: Dior recieves horrible Paris Fall 2011 couture show reviews. From Style.com: "a misjudged effort to impress an alien thumbprint on an aesthetic that, for better or worse, is one of the fashion industry's most clearly defined. If a germ of truth ever existed there [to the rumors of Gaytten taking over], this show likely squashed it." August 24th, 2011: “High-ranking industry sources” have confirmed to The Daily that Marc Jacobs will replace John Galliano as creative director at Christian Dior.

Marc Jacobs in Harper's Bazzar, January 2009 Shot by Terry Richardson

December 16th, 2011: In a Vogue Profile, Marc Jacobs finally comments on the Dior rumors by saying, “I don’t dream of doing anything else.” Jacobs has been the creative director at Louis Vuitton since 1997, and he has no interest in giving a try at couture. "With couture, one dress each season is photographed by a couple of magazines; there’s no advertising; it reaches 20 customers."

Raf Simons by Willy Vanderperre for Fantastic Man

February 28th, 2012: It’s reported that Raf Simmons will be the new Dior creative director effective immediatly. Raf Simmons was the creative director at Jil Sander before leaving the company mysteriously, further fueling the rumors. No public statements are made.

Haider Ackermann for Interview Magazine by Craig Mcdean

February 29th, 2012: Flowers are delivered to Dior’s Paris headquarters for a “Monsieur Ackermann.” Haider Ackermann rumor for position explodes on the internet. Fun fact: Ackermann interned for John Galliano -- the creative director he is rumored to replace. March 7th, 2012: Marc Jabobs reenters the Christian Dior Creative Director rumor mill once again after the Miu Miu Fall 2012 Paris fashion show where he sat front row next to Vogue’s Grace Coddingham.

Raf Simmons via Style.com

April 9th, 2012: Raf Simmons is officially announced as the new Creative Director for Christian Dior. The year-long saga comes to an end. Simmons tells the New York Times: "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.” Fashion One looks forward to seeing Simmons work at the iconic luxury house, Christian Dior.