Less than two years after he shook up the New York fashion world with a splashy runway debut for Calvin Klein, designer Raf Simons is leaving the company.

The company and the Belgian designer announced they had “amicably” decided to part ways after Calvin Klein “decided on a new brand direction different from Simons’ creative vision.” A representative for Simons said in an email Friday night that the designer would have no further comment.

Simons, 50, who previously worked at Dior and Jil Sander, brought an artsy European approach to the iconic American brand, often citing numerous cultural references — but especially Hollywood — as inspiration. In September, his runway show riffed on the movie “Jaws,” with models in various types of wetsuits strolling in front of enormous screens depicting a glistening ocean.

But critical raves don’t necessarily translate to commercial success. There was reportedly disappointment on the part of PVH, the corporation that owns Calvin Klein, in sales under Simons.

Calvin Klein will not show during New York Fashion Week in February 2019. No word was given about a successor.

Raf Simons also has his own, eponymous menswear label and will probably return to put 100% of his efforts into that for the time being.

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