Raf Simons, born in Neerpelt, Belgium in 1968, isn’t just a designer—he’s a cultural force, consistently pushing boundaries of menswear and redefining what it means to dress in the modern era. His journey into fashion was anything but traditional. Initially trained in industrial design, Simons shifted lanes after a pivotal internship under Walter Van Beirendonck and encouragement from Linda Loppa, leading him to launch his own menswear label in 1995. Self-taught and fiercely independent, Raf brought a unique blend of rebellious youth culture and sharp tailoring to the scene, fusing the energy of subcultures with classical sartorial craft.
After a decade establishing his eponymous label, he moved into major creative director roles, including leading Jil Sander from 2005 to 2012, and later Christian Dior, where he introduced his first haute couture collection in July 2012. His era at Calvin Klein from 2016 to 2018 further cemented his legacy, capturing both the Womenswear and Menswear Designer of the Year awards at the 2017 CFDA Fashion Awards. And now, in collaboration with Miuccia Prada since 2020, he’s co-creative director at Prada, continuously innovating and presenting collections that reflect a shared vision for the brand’s future.
Simons’ work has always been about more than just the garments—it’s about individuality, rebellion, and a deep respect for cultural references. From music and art to performance and photography, Raf creates an immersive world that feels personal yet universally relatable. His aesthetic is one that thrives on contradictions: the polished meets the raw, high fashion meets street culture, and the past seamlessly collides with the future. Always at the forefront of innovation, his collections speak to a generation that values independence, authenticity, and the audacity to stand out in a crowd.
