Belgium's fashion designer Raf Simons closes namesake menswear label

Simons’ final collection was showcased in mid-October 2022 at London’s Printworks, a newspaper factory-turned-nightclub, which will be shuttered next year. The designer had printed phrases from the late Belgian painter Philippe Vandenberg— “Kill them all and dance” —on some of the outfits of the collection.

“I lack the words to share how proud I am of all that we have achieved,” shared Simons in an Instagram post on his account. “I am grateful for the incredible support from my team, from my collaborators, from the press and buyers, from my friends and family, and from our devoted fans and loyal followers. Thank you all, for believing in our vision and for believing in me.”

Simons has been an influential figure in the fashion industry for almost three decades. He had started his menswear label, inspired by youth culture, in 1995. He also donned the creative director’s hat at Calvin Klein, Jil Sander, and Christian Dior before going on to work in his current position as co-creative director for Prada together with Miuccia Prada from April 2020.

He won accolades for his contributions to the fashion industry when he was awarded both the Menswear and Womenswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America for his designs at Calvin Klein and Designer of the Year by the British Fashion Council in 2017.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)