Düsseldorf, 20 November 2022: Breaking news. 3 hours ago Raf Simons announced that he is closing his eponymous label after 27 years. Raf Simons stunned the industry and horrified his fans when he announced on his label's official Instagram account that the spring 2023 collection will be the last season.

In his Instagram post, Simons wrote: "I don't have the words to say how proud I am of everything we have achieved. I am grateful for the incredible support of my team, my staff, the press and buyers, my friends and family, and our loyal fans and followers. Thank you all for believing in our vision and in me." At the top of his post, he included the year "1995", the debut of his label, and the names of his parents Alda & Jacques, as well as the term MEMORY WEAR.

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He brought back elegance and beauty, the codes of Dior:

Already in 2015, when he quit as head designer of Dior, this had shocked connoisseurs and fans. Also because it was he who discovered the codes of the house and imposed his vision that haute couture was wearable. Through the film documentary "Dior and I", it had become clear that the fashion calendar was overwhelming him and that he did not seem entirely comfortable with the size and scope of the company. There was not enough time for him to explore technical innovations and collaborations with artists. The elegance and minimalist beauty he brought back to the brand saw sales grow by more than 60%.

What could be behind his decision:

Raf Simons has worked successively as chief creative officer for the most influential brands, such as Jil Sander, Dior, Calvin Klein, but he always left them after a few years to dedicate himself to his own label. Of the current collaboration with Miuccia Prada, we know that Prada ""What counts for me are ideas, and aesthetics are completely secondary", finds her co-designer challenging and inspiring, appreciates his "Flemish coolness" in contrast to her "Italian warmth", as well as his pragmatism. Could it be that Raf Simons wants to focus exclusively on Prada in the future?

As soon as there is news, we will report.

Biography (Source Britannica)

Simons (born 12 January 1968 in Neerpelt, Belgium) Simons studied industrial and furniture design in Genk, Belgium, where he graduated in 1991 and began a career as a furniture designer. At the suggestion of Linda Loppa, from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, he designed his first menswear collection in 1995 and founded the Raf Simons label.

In 2005 he became creative director for the German label Jil Sander, although he had never designed womenswear before. In February 2012, Simons left Jil Sander, and two months later he became artistic director at Christian Dior; replacing John Galliano, who had been fired the year before. In 2015, he left Dior to become chief creative officer of Calvin Klein from 2016 to 2018. In 2020, he became co-creative designer (with Miuccia Prada) of the Italian label Prada.

Raf Simons has also won numerous awards, as in 2017 he won both the Menswear Designer of the Year and the Womenswear Designer of the Year Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He also received this award in 2018.

(Source Britannica) 

Fashion, 21 November 2022

Breaking news - Raf Simons schliesst nach 27 Jahren sein gleichnamiges äußerst einflussreiches Label. Raf Simons verblüffte die Branche und entsetzte seine Fans, als er vor 3 Stunden auf dem offiziellen Instagram-Account seines Labels bekannt gab, dass die Frühjahrskollektion 2023 die letzte Saison sein wird. Was könnte dahinter stecken.

By Francesca Morelli 

Düsseldorf, 20. November 2022: Breaking news. Vor 2 Stunden gab Raf Simons bekannt, dass er sein gleichnamiges Label nach 27 Jahren schließt. Raf Simons verblüffte die Branche und entsetzte seine Fans, als er auf dem offiziellen Instagram-Account seines Labels bekannt gab, dass die Frühjahrskollektion 2023 die letzte Saison sein wird.

In seinem Instagram-Post schrieb Simons: „Mir fehlen die Worte, um zu sagen, wie stolz ich auf alles bin, was wir erreicht haben. Ich bin dankbar für die unglaubliche Unterstützung meines Teams, meiner Mitarbeiter, der Presse und der Käufer, meiner Freunde und Familie sowie unserer treuen Fans und Follower. Ich danke Ihnen allen, dass Sie an unsere Vision und an mich glauben.“ Oben in seinem Posting hat er das Jahr "1995", das Debüt seines Labels, und die Namen seiner Eltern Alda & Jacques angegeben, sowie der Begriff MEMORY WEAR.

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Er brachte Eleganz und Schönheit, die Codes von Dior zurück:

Schon in 2015, als er als Chefdesigner von Dior aufhörte, hatte dies Kenner und Fans schockiert. Auch deshalb, weil er es war, der die Codes des Hauses entdeckte und seine Vision, dass Haute Couture tragbar sei, durchsetzte. Durch den Film Dokumentarfilm „Dior und ich“, war klar geworden, dass der Modekalender ihn überfordert und er sich bei der Größe und dem Umfang des Unternehmens nicht ganz wohl zu fühlen schien. Es blieb ihm nicht genug Zeit zur Auseinandersetzung mit technischen Innovationen und Kooperationen mit Künstlern. Die Eleganz und minimalistische Schönheit, die er der Marke zurückbrachte, ließen die Umsätze um mehr als 60 % wachsen.

Was könnte hinter seiner Entscheidung stehen:

Raf Simons hat hintereinander als Chef Kreativer für die einflussreichsten Marken gearbeitet, wie Jil Sander, Dior, Calvin Klein, die er aber nach wenigen Jahren stets verließ, um sich seinem eigenen Label zu widmen. Von der aktuellen Kooperation mit Miuccia Prada weiß man, dass Prada „"Was für mich zählt, sind Ideen, und die Ästhetik ist völlig zweitrangig“, ihren Co-Designer herausfordernd und inspirierend findet, seine „flämische Kühle“ im Kontrast zu ihrer „italienischen Wärme“ schätzt sowie seinen Pragmatismus. Könnte es sein, dass sich Raf Simons in Zukunft ausschliesslich auf Prada konzentrieren möchte?

Sobald es Neuigkeiten gibt, werden wir berichten.

Biografie (Quelle Britannica)

Simons (geboren am 12. Januar 1968 in Neerpelt, Belgien) Simons studierte Industrie- und Möbeldesign in Genk, Belgien, wo er 1991 seinen Abschluss machte und eine Karriere als Möbeldesigner begann. Auf Anregung von Linda Loppa, von der Königlichen Akademie der Schönen Künste in Antwerpen, entwarf er 1995 seine erste Herrenkollektion und gründete das Label Raf Simons.

2005 wurde er Kreativdirektor für das deutsche Label Jil Sander, obwohl er noch nie Damenmode entworfen hatte. Im Februar 2012 verließ Simons Jil Sander, und zwei Monate später wurde er künstlerischer Leiter bei Christian Dior; er ersetzte John Galliano, der im Jahr zuvor entlassen worden war. 2015 verließ er Dior und wurde von 2016 bis 2018 Chief Creative Officer von Calvin Klein. 2020 wurde er Co-Kreativdesigner (mit Miuccia Prada) des italienischen Labels Prada.

Raf Simons hat auch zahlreiche Preise gewonnen, wie 2017 sowohl den Menswear Designer of the Year als auch den Womenswear Designer of the Year Award des Council of Fashion Designers of America gewann. Diesen Preis erhielt er auch 2018.

(Quelle Britannica) 

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