Daily Front Row

2012 March 19

Simon Spurr Exits Eponymous Label

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Simon Spurr
Billy Farrell Agency View Gallery

(NEW YORK) A mere week after nabbing a coveted CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year nomination, Simon Spurr is parting ways with his eponymous label. The New York-based line was founded six years ago by the British designer with partner Judd Nydes. Spurr's reasons for departing at a potentially pivotal crux of his career remain unknown. "At this moment, I'm not at liberty to say anything about what's gone on," Spurr told WWD.

The Middlesex University grad matriculated with a degree in men's fashion and entered the biz with a menswear design gig in the late nineties at Yves Saint Laurent under Hedi Slimane's tutelage. In 2001, Spurr was named head menswear designer at ck Calvin Klein before being appointed director of Ralph Lauren's Red and Purple labels circa 2003.

Three years later, Spurr launched with just three pairs of jeans under the label SPURR, debuting at Bergdorfs. "Little by little we were noticing this guy was evolving into the new American menswear designer," Tommy Fazio, former president of Simon Spurr, told The Daily last year.  

After a few years of trotting out bestselling denim, plus casual shirting and pea coat toppers to match, Spurr formally launched his eponymous brand bearing his full name in 2009, complete with suiting and more dapper separates. Simultaneously, Spurr brought Fazio, a former Calvin Klein colleague and men's fashion director at Bergdorf's, into the fold for two years before losing Fazio to Nordstrom last Fall.

In November 2010, the 38-year-old designer added the title of creative consultant for Tommy Hilfiger menswear to his repertoire; Spurr will retain that role, as of now. 
ALEXANDRA ILYASHOV