From Raf Simons to the creative direction of Alaïa. All the curiosities about Pieter Mulier

More than three years, after the death of the legendary designer Azzedine Alaïa, the helm of the French company of Richemont group has finally found his guide. Pieter Mulier, was chose as creative director of maison Alaïa just a few days ago. But what do we know about him and his background?

It will not be so much his academic profile with a degree in architecture that will honor them, but an internship at Raf Simons in 2002 and the fact that his figure was, for about two decades, alongside that of the designer. Mulier was his traveling friend, his right-hand man in the successes of the time, from Belgium to the direction of Jil Sander in 2005, then Dior until 2015, and finally Calvin Klein.

Mulier also appeared alongside her in the finale of the latest Calvin Klein show, after two years of creative direction, as before in “Dior and I” by Frédéric Tcheng’s. In the documentary, which chronicles the eight weeks that preceded Raf Simons’ first couture collection in 2012, Pieter seems to give immense light to the designer’s work.

Their relationship ended, professionally, when Miuccia Prada chose Raf by her side for the direction of the fashion house. But why didn’t Mulier follow him after years and years of mentorship? On the one hand, we can assume that Miuccia has always done her job individually, and it’s already a great news to see her together with Raf as co-director. On the other hand, it would have been difficult for Pieter Mulier to continue that journey.

But, now you are probably wondering… with a past in the shadow of another designer, why was he chosen by the upper echelons as the successor of the timeless Azzedine? Perhaps, we should think that sometimes things just happen at the right time and as Raf Simons proudly said: “Pieter has been ready for a long time”.

The Alaïa brand for three long years was carried on by the family of the late designer, who mostly worked on the designer’s legacy alone, including exhibitions, events and old sketches, but nothing more. So, it wasn’t difficult for Mulier to find his way, since the designer is highly respected in the fashion system, moreover Mulier has repeatedly stated that he sees himself in the aesthetics of the historic couturier Alaïa. Like his predecessor, the new creative director defines himself as a perfectionist and a devotee of art, has a 360-degree vision of the world, always tries to look beyond, and when he want to create he must do it with dedication and time.

_________________________

Priscilla Cafaggi

Priscilla è una fashion editor laureata in storia della moda. Ama il vintage, il minimalismo… in poche parole una persona eclettica. Infatti, se dovesse scegliere due persone per andare a cena fuori sarebbero Jil Sander e Alessandro Michele.