Simons will leave the company effective 27 February 2012—two days after this Saturday’s Jil Sander show. He has held the top spot at Jil Sander since 2005.

‘Jil Sander thanks Raf Simons for his dedicated commitment to the brand, throughout these years, and wishes him the very best for the future,’ the brand said in a statement.

The news has reignited speculation that Christian Dior could be preparing to name Simons as its new creative director nearly a year after sacking John Galliano. Dior had no comment on the announcement.

Rumours of Simons’ departure have circulated since September 2011, when the company issued vehement denials and made it known that Simons had signed a contract to stay with the house for another four seasons. In December, WWD reported that Christian Dior was ‘closing in on a contract’ with Simons.

Meanwhile, a German magazine has reported that Jil Sander is preparing to return to the helm of the fashion house she founded in 1968.

Let the great game of designer musical chairs begin...