Raf Simons is one of the most influential and innovative fashion designers of today. For more than two decades, he has been shaping the zeitgeist and aesthetics of the fashion industry with his collections for men and women. His style is influenced by a mixture of youth culture, art, music and architecture, which he constantly reinterprets and brings into surprising forms.
Simons was born in Belgium in 1968 and initially studied industrial design. He worked as a furniture designer before deciding to start his own fashion line for men in 1995. He had no formal training in fashion, but learned the craft self-taught. His first collection was inspired by the punk subculture and featured slim silhouettes, graphic prints and sporty elements. Simons quickly became a favorite of fashion critics and fans, who appreciated his visionary and rebellious approach to men’s fashion.
Simons expanded his creative spectrum throughout his career, collaborating with various brands and artists. He was creative director of Jil Sander from 2005 to 2012, where he designed minimalist and elegant women’s fashion. He then moved to Dior, where he was responsible for haute couture from 2012 to 2015. He brought a modern and fresh touch to the tradition-rich house, creating some of the brand’s most iconic looks. However, he left Dior after three years to devote more time to his own brand and personal interests.
From 2016 to 2018, Simons was creative director of Calvin Klein, where he was responsible for the entire creative vision of the American label. He refocused the brand and gave it a new image influenced by pop culture, politics and the art scene in America. Since 2020, Simons has been co-creative director of Prada.
Simons is not only a fashion designer, but also a passionate art collector and lover. He is often inspired by various art movements and works, such as Expressionism, Bauhaus, and Andy Warhol. He has also curated or co-created several exhibitions, such as “The Fourth Sex.” The music Simons uses in his works references bands such as Joy Division or Kraftwerk.
Simons is a designer who sees fashion not only as clothing, but as an expression of identity, emotion and culture. He has a unique sense of beauty that is reflected in his refined and provocative creations. He has revolutionized fashion and will continue to do so.
