Raf Simons closes his brand (to focus on Prada?)

Despite the path that led him to cover the artistic direction of maisons such as Jil Sander, Calvin Klein, Dior and – still today – Prada, Raf Simons he also held the reins of his homonymous brand for over 27 years.

A chapter to which the superstar designer has decided to put an end, announcing it on Instagram: the news comes just over a month after the show on October 14, which has in fact become the last (and first) London show by the Belgian designer, on the occasion of the recent artistic season of Frieze. «The 2003 Spring/Summer collection is the conclusion of an extraordinary journey and the last season of the Raf Simons fashion brand», said Raf Simons, closing the circle of a story that began in mid 90s with parades in the garages of the Bastille district of Paris. Fundamental period that made, in fact, his brand a real one cult brand among young people – with collections imbued with artistic and musical (sub)cultures – and which the designer also wanted to recall in his post, Memory Wear 1995 Station to Station Alda & Jacques.

Calvin Klein, 10 curiosities about the designer who whispered about sensuality (and who turns 80 today)

“If you can’t think of anything, think of sex”: among the maxims of the American creative, this one depicts it best. Instinctive, experimental, nonconformist, subtly erotic. 80 years for him today 19 November, and the absolute certainty of having literally inebriated the world with his intuitions

The title of the announcement on the end of the Raf Simons brand is in fact inspired by the name of his Spring/Summer 2015 collection, in which he presented nostalgic images of his family and personal upbringing on the clothes on the runway: 1995 was the year the designer launched his eponymous brand, Station to Station is a reference to a song by David Bowie which inspired his Fall/Winter 2013 men’s collection, while Alda and Jacques are the names of his parents. A tribute, therefore, not only to the stages traveled by his brand, but also to his own personal storyin line with the designer’s philosophy of being influenced by the past to be able to place it in the present.

“I am proud of everything we have achieved. I am grateful for the incredible support of my team, my collaborators, the press and buyers, my friends and family, our devoted fans and loyal followers »concluded Raf Simons, thanking you for believing in him and in the vision of him. But what was the driving force behind this decision? The announcement could only arouse speculation about the possible departure of Miuccia Prada from the creative direction of the Italian maison, whose role he shares with the Belgian designer since 2020: is Simons preparing to direct Prada in total autonomy? In the meantime, what is certain is that the Raf Simons designer garments will become extremely desirable collectibles: just think that just a few years ago, a bomber jacket from his Fall/Winter 2001 collection, the legendary Riot! Riot! Riot!, was resold for over $47,000. The closure of his brand, therefore, undoubtedly represents the end of an era, but further consolidates the foundations for a chapter, perhaps even more incisive in the history of fashion.

Dressing like an icon: Miuccia Prada

She was, and certainly still is, one of the most admired protagonists of the cultural scene and of the Italian and international fashion system. Her personal style? Unique and recognizable. Let’s find out here…