Raf Simons has been unveiled as the new Christian Dior couturier, thereby drawing a curtain on months of speculation surrounding the position following the dismissal of John Galliano in March 2011 for a racist and anti-Semitic outburst in a Paris café. Monday afternoon Cathy Horyn at the New York Times confirmed the French house’s appointment of the celebrated Belgian designer who was unceremoniously dismissed by Jil Sander in March. The selection of Simons, known for his predilection toward minimalism, marks a departure from the retro sumptuousness that characterized Galliano’s 15 year tenure. A mouthwatering showdown between reputed rivals Raf Simons at Dior and the recently appointed Hedi Slimane at Yves Saint Laurent awaits in the months to come. [New York Times]

The other equally big news from yesterday was the $1 billion Facebook purchase of Instagram, the photo sharing service. The acquisition comes at a particularly sensitive time for the social media giant as it prepares for its initial public offering on the NASDAQ next month, not that its bullish founder Mark Zuckerberg is likely to care (Timeline, anyone?). A Mashable poll reveals 58% of respondents disapprove of the Instagram sale. [Mashable]

Paolo Anchisi (Ford Men) features in the new Balmain Homme Spring 2012 lookbook by photographer Karim Sadli. The collection by Olivier Rousteing gives a nod to the rustic, Western stylings from the middle part of the last century, which are echoed throughout the lookbook that is mostly shot in black and white on a farm. [Balmain]

Diplo’s new book with photographer Shane McCauley 128 Beats Per Minute is now out and available for purchase at Urban Outfitters. [Mad Decent]

Hanne Gaby (Ford) walks for Raf's final Jil Sander collection, which could yet provide a window on Dior's future. | Jil Sander Fall 2012 (Photography: Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com courtesy of Style.com)