The small town of Neerpelt, Belgium. A place where few would expect the development of a fashion designer. Raf himself admits that fashion never interested him, and his life plans were completely different - industrial and furniture design. Nevertheless, several key events and encounters changed his path.
The first key figure in Raf's life change was Walter van Beirendonck, a member of the designer collective "The Antwerp Six." This name is well-known in the fashion world, especially thanks to Dries Van Noten. Walter, by the way, mentored famous designers like Kris Van Assche and Demna Gvasalia, and Raf started as an intern with him. It was thanks to Walter that Raf first became passionate about fashion.
“I got in touch with Walter, who was presenting a show in Paris at the time, Martin's show - the first in my life. I thought the shows should be big, glamorous, but this one didn’t even have a floor, it was like a dirty backyard. As a student, I always thought fashion was something superficial and shiny, but this show changed everything for me. I left and thought - this is what I will do. This show is the reason I became a designer,” Raf recalls about Martin Margiela’s 1988 show.
Linda Loppa, head of the fashion department at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, was another important figure in Raf’s life. She was both feared and adored. Raf was no exception. After creating his first collection of fitted shirts and narrow black suits reminiscent of school uniforms, Raf received advice from Linda: “Act, you need work, not education.” But Raf, who at the time was looking for new knowledge, actually wanted to learn from Linda and grow.
“Students come to us at 18, and they graduate at 22. During this time, they change significantly. After a promising start, some may leave school and work, so it’s important to guide them with a firm hand,” Linda said.
Raf Simons. The Designer’s Own Brand
The start of Raf Simons' brand began in 1995 and was presented in the form of a video presentation. Two models on a white background change outfits. It’s been 30 years, and this format is still relevant. This is not the only innovative decision Raf made that has stood the test of time.
“I wanted these guys to look like someone you know. This wasn’t fantasy - these were real people who could be your friends,” Raf says about his collection.
This approach was revolutionary: fashion as a reflection of "real youth," not glamour.
This collection didn’t just announce Raf, it changed the perception of men's fashion in Europe. Long coats, slim bodies, the absence of the "muscular man" - all this had a huge impact on an entire generation of designers.
Raf has always posed philosophical questions about identity, youth, the future, and social roles. He doesn’t repeat himself. His collections change, reflecting his personal transformation and the spirit of the time.
The “Riot! Riot! Riot!” Collection in 2001 was a turning point in his career. It was aggressive, unsettling, and conceptual. For the first time, Raf didn’t just show youth as style, but as a force standing against the system. This was a cultural event ahead of its time and solidified Raf as the prophet of new men’s fashion.
Raf Simons Today
Now, he is not just a cult figure, but a historical one. He has gone from a niche Belgian designer to one of the most influential people in global fashion. And his creativity continues to transform.
In November 2022, Raf unexpectedly announced that he was closing his brand. Now, he works as the creative co-director at Prada alongside Miuccia Prada. Raf’s contribution to Prada has been significant: he has recharged the brand, bringing in urban energy, structure, and clarity. While Miuccia Prada has always worked with cultural subtext and philosophical questions, Raf made this language sharper, more specific, and more modern. He removed excess decoration and brought form, texture, and graphics to the forefront.
Their collaboration is a dialogue of intellect and intuition, where Raf speaks directly, and Miuccia speaks between the lines. Thanks to this, Prada today is not just "intellectual fashion," but a language that responds quickly and accurately to reality.
