Raf Simons
Raf Simons
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Raf Simons is the full name of this renowned Belgian fashion designer. He is commonly known by his first name, Raf.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on January 4, 1968, in Neerpelt, Belgium. As of this writing, Raf Simons is still alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Raf Simons is a Belgian national with the title of Fashion Designer. He has also worked as an Art Director and Creative Consultant.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a small town in Flanders, Belgium, Simons was exposed to fashion at an early age through his mother's influence. She was a skilled seamstress who encouraged Raf's creativity from a young age. After completing secondary school, Simons pursued a degree in graphic design at the Sint-Lukas Artesis Hogeschool in Brussels.
Major Accomplishments
Raf Simons' career took off when he co-founded his own fashion label with Dirk Van Saene in 1995. The label gained recognition for its innovative and provocative designs that challenged traditional notions of style. In 2005, Simons became the Creative Director at Jil Sander, where he stayed until 2012. During his tenure, he revamped the brand's image and made it more accessible to a wider audience.
In 2013, Simons took on the role of Chief Creative Officer (CCO) at Dior, becoming one of the youngest designers in the company's history to hold this position. Under his guidance, Dior's collections gained a new level of sophistication and modernity. In 2020, he left Dior to become the Chief Creative Officer at Prada.
Notable Works or Actions
Throughout his career, Simons has showcased his designs on numerous runways around the world, including Paris Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, and New York Fashion Week. He is also known for collaborating with other artists, musicians, and designers on various projects. Some notable examples include:
Collaborating with artist Sterling Ruby on a series of sculptures that blended fashion and art
Designing costumes for the 2013 film "Cyrano de Bergerac"
Creating a capsule collection with Adidas in 2014Impact and Legacy
Raf Simons' influence on contemporary fashion is undeniable. He has been credited with pushing the boundaries of style, encouraging experimentation, and promoting diversity within the industry. His designs have also inspired countless young designers who are now making waves in their own right.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Simons' impact extends beyond the fashion world. He is widely quoted for his insightful perspectives on art, culture, and technology. Many see him as a visionary who continues to innovate and inspire new generations of creatives. His ability to merge high-end fashion with streetwear sensibilities has earned him recognition from fans and critics alike.
Some notable quotes attributed to Simons include:
"Fashion is not just about clothes; it's about the way people live, think, and interact."
* "I don't believe in following trends. I believe in creating my own path."
Quotes by Raf Simons
Raf Simons's insights on:
I never really have to sit at a desk thinking, 'What should I do now?' It doesn't work like that for me, and it never has. My thinking process is constant.
I'm very scared sometimes that fashion might attack its own magic by the amount of exposure.
Well, my own men’s collection always felt very free back in the days before Jil. Once you make it this kind of dialogue with other people, with a fashion show and clients and whatever, it becomes something else. Free meets not so free.
Unlike fashion, art isn’t applied. It doesn’t have to serve anybody. It doesn’t have to be there for any other reason than to give an impression of what the world is about.
If I see a fashion show with literal influences, it doesn’t make me think any more. It doesn’t make me dream.
You do what you do. Or you do what you have to do. I don’t know how to explain it better. I think that in the moment, you can’t see connections, but sometimes afterwards you do.
I never really have to sit at a desk thinking, “What should I do now?” It doesn’t work like that for me, and it never has. My thinking process is constant. The difference is that once I was in Antwerp only doing two men’s shows a year. And the weird thing is I thought I was busy then.
It felt wrong for me to stay totally connected to that very strict way of approaching the heritage – what it can be, what it cannot be. That was also the period where I really thought, “No, let’s open it up.”
I would prefer to use the word free. I think the Dior thing is so much freer. There was not so much free about Jil’s way of working.