Background
Raf Simons was born on January 12, 1968, in Neerpelt, Belgium. Simons's father, Jacques, was an army night watchman who enlisted when he was 17. His mother, Alda Beckers, became a house cleaner at 15.
Raf Simons
Genk, Belgium
Simons graduated in Industrial Design and Furniture Design from a college in Genk in 1991.
He interned for Walter Van Beirendonck while studying. Van Beirendonck took Simons to his first fashion show, Martin Margiela’s Spring 1990 all-white show. Simons told The Gentlewoman of the event: “As a student I always thought that fashion was a bit superficial, all glitz and glamour, but this show changed everything for me. I walked out of it and I thought, That’s what I’m going to do. That show is the reason I became a fashion designer.”
Young Raf Simons
2012
Paris, France
In February 2012 Simons left Jil Sander, and two months later he became artistic director at Christian Dior; he replaced John Galliano, who had been fired the previous year. Simon’s first collection for the French label was shown in July 2012.
2014
Paris, France
Simons has always aimed to elicit emotion with his work. He certainly gets emotional about it: He’s wept backstage at his shows — with happiness, perhaps, or relief, but certainly not sadness.
2015
Paris, France
Diane Kruger in Christian Dior Haute Couture and Raf Simons
2015
Paris, France
Raf Simons & Pieter Mulier in Dior and ICourtesy of Dior
2012
Paris, France
Eva Herzigova and Head Creative Director at Dior, Raf Simons (R) Christian Dior Spring / Summer 2013 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 28, 2012 in Paris, France. (Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2012
Paris, France
Julia Toledano, Dior CEO Sidney Toledano, Melanie Laurent and Christian Dior Creative Director Raf Simons attend the Christian Dior Spring / Summer 2013 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 28, 2012 in Paris, France. (Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2013
1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128, USA
Sidney Toledano (L) and Raf Simons attend the Guggenheim International Gala, made possible by Dior, at the Guggenheim Museum on November 7, 2013 in New York City. (Source: Gary Gershoff/Getty Images North America)
2013
Paris, France
Fashion designer Raf Simons walks the runway during Christian Dior show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 at Musee Rodin on September 27, 2013 in Paris, France. (Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2013
Monaco
Fashion designer Raf Simons walks the runway during Dior Cruise Collection 2014 show on May 18, 2013 in Monaco. (May 17, 2013 - Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2013
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA
(L-R) Jennifer Lawrence, designer Raf Simons and Marion Cotillard attend the Costume Institute Gala for the 'PUNK: Chaos to Couture' exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City. (May 5, 2013 - Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
2014
1 Chome-３番２８号 Yokoami, Sumida, Tokyo 130-0015, Japan
Raf Simons appears on the runway during 'Esprit Dior', Tokyo 2015 Fashion Show at Ryogoku Kokugikan on December 11, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. (Source: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images AsiaPac)
2014
New York City, United States
Dior fashion designer Zaf Simons, VOGUE Editor-inChief Anna Wintour and Sidney Toledano attend the Guggenheim International Gala Dinner made possible by Dior on November 6, 2014 in New York City. (Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
2014
New York City, United States
VOGUE Editor-inChief Anna Wintour and Dior fashion designer Zaf Simons attend the Guggenheim International Gala Dinner made possible by Dior on November 6, 2014 in New York City. (Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
2014
New York City, United States
Fashion designer Raf Simons attends the Guggenheim International Gala Pre-Party made possible by Dior on November 5, 2014 in New York City. (Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
2014
New York City, United States
Model Katlin Aas, Fashion designer Raf Simons and model Kati Nescher attend the Guggenheim International Gala Pre-Party made possible by Dior on November 5, 2014 in New York City. (Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
2014
Paris, France
Designer Raf Simons acknowledges the applause of the audience after the Christian Dior show as part of Paris Fashion Week - Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2014-2015 on July 7, 2014 in Paris, France. (July 6, 2014 - Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2014
Paris, France
Fashion designer Raf Simons walks the runway during the Raf Simons show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Menswear Spring/Summer 2015 on June 25, 2014 in Paris, France. (June 24, 2014 - Source: Francois Durand/Getty Images Europe)
2014
1941 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, USA
(L-R) Dior CEO Sidney Toledano, actress Marion Cotillard and International award recipient Raf Simons for Dior attend the winners walk during the 2014 CFDA fashion awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 2, 2014 in New York City. (June 1, 2014 - Source: Larry Busacca/Getty Images North America)
2014
1941 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, USA
(L-R) Dior CEO Sidney Toledano, Raf Simons, and actress Marion Cotillard speak onstage at the 2014 CFDA fashion awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 2, 2014 in New York City. (June 1, 2014 - Source: D Dipasupil/Getty Images North America)
2014
63 Flushing Ave building 292 unit 300, Brooklyn, NY 11205, USA
Designer Raf Simons walks the runway at the conclusion of the Christian Dior Cruise 2015 show at Brooklyn Navy Yard on May 7, 2014 in the Brooklyn borough of Brooklyn City. (May 6, 2014 - Source: JP Yim/Getty Images North America)
2015
1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128, USA
(L-R) Jean-Georges d'Orazio, Cindy Sherman and Raf Simons attend the 2015 Guggenheim International Gala Dinner made possible by Dior at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on November 5, 2015 in New York City. (Source: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images North America)
2015
1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128, USA
Jean-Georges d'Orazio (L) and Raf Simons attend the 2015 Guggenheim International Gala Pre-Party made possible by Dior at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on November 4, 2015 in New York City. (Source: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images North America)
2015
33 Boulevard de l'Esterel, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer, France
Marion Cotillard and Raf Simons attend the Dior Croisiere 2016 at Palais Bulle on May 11, 2015 in Theoule sur Mer, France. (May 10, 2015 - Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2015
33 Boulevard de l'Esterel, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer, France
Marion Cotillard and Raf Simons attend the Dior Croisiere 2016 at Palais Bulle on May 11, 2015 in Theoule sur Mer, France. (May 10, 2015 - Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2015
33 Boulevard de l'Esterel, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer, France
Zoe Kravitz and Raf Simons attend the Dior Croisiere 2016 at Palais Bulle on May 11, 2015 in Theoule sur Mer, France. (May 10, 2015 - Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2015
Paris, France
Designer Raf Simons (R) walks the runway during the Christian Dior show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2015/2016 on March 6, 2015 in Paris, France. (March 5, 2015 - Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2015
Paris, France
Creative Director Raf Simons appears at the end of the runway after the Christian Dior show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2015 on January 26, 2015 in Paris, France. (Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2015
Paris, France
Raf Simons walks the runway during the Raf Simons Menswear Fall/Winter 2015-2016 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 21, 2015 in Paris, France. (Source: Victor Boyko/Getty Images Europe)
2017
11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Marc Jacobs presents an award to Raf Simons onstage during the WSJ. Magazine 2017 Innovator Awards at MOMA on November 1, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Andrew Toth/Getty Images North America)
2017
11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Designer Raf Simons speaks onstage during the WSJ. Magazine 2017 Innovator Awards at MOMA on November 1, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Craig Barritt/Getty Images North America)
2017
11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Honoree Raf Simons attends the WSJ. Magazine 2017 Innovator Awards at MOMA on November 1, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Andrew Toth/Getty Images North America)
2017
11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Marc Jacobs and honoree Raf Simons attend the WSJ. Magazine 2017 Innovator Awards at MOMA on November 1, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Andrew Toth/Getty Images North America)
2017
643 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
Raf Simons and Jean-Georges d'Orazio attends Marc Jacobs SS18 fashion show during New York Fashion Week at Park Avenue Armory on September 13, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images North America)
2017
New York City, United States
Creative director at Calvin Klein Raf Simons (L) walks the runway for Calvin Klein Collection fashion show during New York Fashion Week on September 7, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images North America)
2017
New York City, United States
Designer Raf Simons walks the runway during the Raf Simons - Runway - NYFW: Men's July 2017 on July 11, 2017 in New York City. (July 10, 2017 - Source: JP Yim/Getty Images North America)
2017
New York City, United States
Designer Raf Simons poses during the Raf Simons front row during NYFW: Men's July 2017 on July 11, 2017 in New York City. (July 10, 2017 - Source: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images North America)
2017
311 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001, USA
Menswear Designer of the Year Winner and Womenswear Designer of the Year Winner Raf Simons for Calvin Klein poses on the LIFEWTR Winner's Walk at the CFDA Awards 2017 on June 5, 2017 in New York City. (June 4, 2017 - Source: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images North America)
2017
311 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001, USA
Designer Raf Simons attends the 2017 CFDA Fashion Awards Cocktail Hour at Hammerstein Ballroom on June 5, 2017 in New York City. (June 4, 2017 - Source: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images North America)
2017
311 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001, USA
Raf Simons accepts an award onstage during the 2017 CFDA Fashion Awards at Hammerstein Ballroom on June 5, 2017 in New York City. (June 4, 2017 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)
2017
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA
Julianne Moore and Raf Simons attend the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City. (April 30, 2017 - Source: Mike Coppola/Getty Images North America)
2017
10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, USA
Designer Raf Simons attends the 2017 Time 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 25, 2017 in New York City. (April 24, 2017 - Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
2017
New York City, United States
Raf Simons walks the runway at the Raf Simons fashion show during NYFW: Men'son February 1, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images North America)
2018
11 Wall St, New York, NY 10005, USA
Naomi Campbell, Raf Simons and Matthias Schoenaerts attend the Calvin Klein Collection front Row during New York Fashion Week at New York Stock Exchange on September 11, 2018 in New York City. (Source: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images North America)
2018
11 Wall St, New York, NY 10005, USA
Raf Simons attends the Calvin Klein Collection front Row during New York Fashion Week at New York Stock Exchange on September 11, 2018 in New York City. (Source: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images North America)
2018
200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA
Cate Blanchett and 2018 CFDA Womenswear Designer of The Year, Raf Simons attend the 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards Winners Walk at Brooklyn Museum on June 4, 2018 in New York City. (June 3, 2018 - Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
2018
200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA
Designer Raf Simons accepts the 2018 CFDA Womenswear Designer of The Year award onstage during the 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards at Brooklyn Museum on June 4, 2018 in New York City. (June 3, 2018 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)
2018
200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA
Cate Blanchett presents the 2018 CFDA Womenswear Designer of The Year award to Raf Simons during the 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards Winners Walk at Brooklyn Museum on June 4, 2018 in New York City. (June 3, 2018 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)
2018
643 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
Raf Simons attends the Marc Jacobs Fall 2018 Show at Park Avenue Armory on February 14, 2018 in New York City. (Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
2017
11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Designer Raf Simons speaks onstage during the WSJ. Magazine 2017 Innovator Awards at MOMA on November 1, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Craig Barritt/Getty Images North America)
2012
Paris, France
In February 2012 Simons left Jil Sander, and two months later he became artistic director at Christian Dior; he replaced John Galliano, who had been fired the previous year. Simon’s first collection for the French label was shown in July 2012.
2012
Paris, France
Eva Herzigova and Head Creative Director at Dior, Raf Simons (R) Christian Dior Spring / Summer 2013 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 28, 2012 in Paris, France. (Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2012
Paris, France
Julia Toledano, Dior CEO Sidney Toledano, Melanie Laurent and Christian Dior Creative Director Raf Simons attend the Christian Dior Spring / Summer 2013 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 28, 2012 in Paris, France. (Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2013
1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128, USA
Sidney Toledano (L) and Raf Simons attend the Guggenheim International Gala, made possible by Dior, at the Guggenheim Museum on November 7, 2013 in New York City. (Source: Gary Gershoff/Getty Images North America)
2013
Paris, France
Fashion designer Raf Simons walks the runway during Christian Dior show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 at Musee Rodin on September 27, 2013 in Paris, France. (Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2013
Monaco
Fashion designer Raf Simons walks the runway during Dior Cruise Collection 2014 show on May 18, 2013 in Monaco. (May 17, 2013 - Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2013
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA
(L-R) Jennifer Lawrence, designer Raf Simons and Marion Cotillard attend the Costume Institute Gala for the 'PUNK: Chaos to Couture' exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City. (May 5, 2013 - Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
2014
Paris, France
Simons has always aimed to elicit emotion with his work. He certainly gets emotional about it: He’s wept backstage at his shows — with happiness, perhaps, or relief, but certainly not sadness.
2014
1 Chome-３番２８号 Yokoami, Sumida, Tokyo 130-0015, Japan
Raf Simons appears on the runway during 'Esprit Dior', Tokyo 2015 Fashion Show at Ryogoku Kokugikan on December 11, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. (Source: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images AsiaPac)
2014
New York City, United States
Dior fashion designer Zaf Simons, VOGUE Editor-inChief Anna Wintour and Sidney Toledano attend the Guggenheim International Gala Dinner made possible by Dior on November 6, 2014 in New York City. (Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
2014
New York City, United States
VOGUE Editor-inChief Anna Wintour and Dior fashion designer Zaf Simons attend the Guggenheim International Gala Dinner made possible by Dior on November 6, 2014 in New York City. (Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
2014
New York City, United States
Fashion designer Raf Simons attends the Guggenheim International Gala Pre-Party made possible by Dior on November 5, 2014 in New York City. (Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
2014
New York City, United States
Model Katlin Aas, Fashion designer Raf Simons and model Kati Nescher attend the Guggenheim International Gala Pre-Party made possible by Dior on November 5, 2014 in New York City. (Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
2014
Paris, France
Designer Raf Simons acknowledges the applause of the audience after the Christian Dior show as part of Paris Fashion Week - Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2014-2015 on July 7, 2014 in Paris, France. (July 6, 2014 - Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2014
Paris, France
Fashion designer Raf Simons walks the runway during the Raf Simons show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Menswear Spring/Summer 2015 on June 25, 2014 in Paris, France. (June 24, 2014 - Source: Francois Durand/Getty Images Europe)
2014
1941 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, USA
(L-R) Dior CEO Sidney Toledano, actress Marion Cotillard and International award recipient Raf Simons for Dior attend the winners walk during the 2014 CFDA fashion awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 2, 2014 in New York City. (June 1, 2014 - Source: Larry Busacca/Getty Images North America)
2014
1941 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, USA
(L-R) Dior CEO Sidney Toledano, Raf Simons, and actress Marion Cotillard speak onstage at the 2014 CFDA fashion awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 2, 2014 in New York City. (June 1, 2014 - Source: D Dipasupil/Getty Images North America)
2014
63 Flushing Ave building 292 unit 300, Brooklyn, NY 11205, USA
Designer Raf Simons walks the runway at the conclusion of the Christian Dior Cruise 2015 show at Brooklyn Navy Yard on May 7, 2014 in the Brooklyn borough of Brooklyn City. (May 6, 2014 - Source: JP Yim/Getty Images North America)
2015
Paris, France
Diane Kruger in Christian Dior Haute Couture and Raf Simons
2015
Paris, France
Raf Simons & Pieter Mulier in Dior and ICourtesy of Dior
2015
1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128, USA
(L-R) Jean-Georges d'Orazio, Cindy Sherman and Raf Simons attend the 2015 Guggenheim International Gala Dinner made possible by Dior at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on November 5, 2015 in New York City. (Source: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images North America)
2015
1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128, USA
Jean-Georges d'Orazio (L) and Raf Simons attend the 2015 Guggenheim International Gala Pre-Party made possible by Dior at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on November 4, 2015 in New York City. (Source: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images North America)
2015
33 Boulevard de l'Esterel, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer, France
Marion Cotillard and Raf Simons attend the Dior Croisiere 2016 at Palais Bulle on May 11, 2015 in Theoule sur Mer, France. (May 10, 2015 - Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2015
33 Boulevard de l'Esterel, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer, France
Marion Cotillard and Raf Simons attend the Dior Croisiere 2016 at Palais Bulle on May 11, 2015 in Theoule sur Mer, France. (May 10, 2015 - Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2015
33 Boulevard de l'Esterel, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer, France
Zoe Kravitz and Raf Simons attend the Dior Croisiere 2016 at Palais Bulle on May 11, 2015 in Theoule sur Mer, France. (May 10, 2015 - Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2015
Paris, France
Designer Raf Simons (R) walks the runway during the Christian Dior show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2015/2016 on March 6, 2015 in Paris, France. (March 5, 2015 - Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2015
Paris, France
Creative Director Raf Simons appears at the end of the runway after the Christian Dior show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2015 on January 26, 2015 in Paris, France. (Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe)
2015
Paris, France
Raf Simons walks the runway during the Raf Simons Menswear Fall/Winter 2015-2016 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 21, 2015 in Paris, France. (Source: Victor Boyko/Getty Images Europe)
2017
11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Marc Jacobs presents an award to Raf Simons onstage during the WSJ. Magazine 2017 Innovator Awards at MOMA on November 1, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Andrew Toth/Getty Images North America)
2017
11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Designer Raf Simons speaks onstage during the WSJ. Magazine 2017 Innovator Awards at MOMA on November 1, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Craig Barritt/Getty Images North America)
2017
11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Honoree Raf Simons attends the WSJ. Magazine 2017 Innovator Awards at MOMA on November 1, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Andrew Toth/Getty Images North America)
2017
11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Marc Jacobs and honoree Raf Simons attend the WSJ. Magazine 2017 Innovator Awards at MOMA on November 1, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Andrew Toth/Getty Images North America)
2017
643 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
Raf Simons and Jean-Georges d'Orazio attends Marc Jacobs SS18 fashion show during New York Fashion Week at Park Avenue Armory on September 13, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images North America)
2017
New York City, United States
Creative director at Calvin Klein Raf Simons (L) walks the runway for Calvin Klein Collection fashion show during New York Fashion Week on September 7, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images North America)
2017
New York City, United States
Designer Raf Simons walks the runway during the Raf Simons - Runway - NYFW: Men's July 2017 on July 11, 2017 in New York City. (July 10, 2017 - Source: JP Yim/Getty Images North America)
2017
New York City, United States
Designer Raf Simons poses during the Raf Simons front row during NYFW: Men's July 2017 on July 11, 2017 in New York City. (July 10, 2017 - Source: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images North America)
2017
311 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001, USA
Menswear Designer of the Year Winner and Womenswear Designer of the Year Winner Raf Simons for Calvin Klein poses on the LIFEWTR Winner's Walk at the CFDA Awards 2017 on June 5, 2017 in New York City. (June 4, 2017 - Source: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images North America)
2017
311 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001, USA
Designer Raf Simons attends the 2017 CFDA Fashion Awards Cocktail Hour at Hammerstein Ballroom on June 5, 2017 in New York City. (June 4, 2017 - Source: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images North America)
2017
311 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001, USA
Raf Simons accepts an award onstage during the 2017 CFDA Fashion Awards at Hammerstein Ballroom on June 5, 2017 in New York City. (June 4, 2017 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)
2017
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA
Julianne Moore and Raf Simons attend the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City. (April 30, 2017 - Source: Mike Coppola/Getty Images North America)
2017
10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, USA
Designer Raf Simons attends the 2017 Time 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 25, 2017 in New York City. (April 24, 2017 - Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
2017
New York City, United States
Raf Simons walks the runway at the Raf Simons fashion show during NYFW: Men'son February 1, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images North America)
2018
11 Wall St, New York, NY 10005, USA
Naomi Campbell, Raf Simons and Matthias Schoenaerts attend the Calvin Klein Collection front Row during New York Fashion Week at New York Stock Exchange on September 11, 2018 in New York City. (Source: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images North America)
2018
11 Wall St, New York, NY 10005, USA
Raf Simons attends the Calvin Klein Collection front Row during New York Fashion Week at New York Stock Exchange on September 11, 2018 in New York City. (Source: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images North America)
2018
200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA
Cate Blanchett and 2018 CFDA Womenswear Designer of The Year, Raf Simons attend the 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards Winners Walk at Brooklyn Museum on June 4, 2018 in New York City. (June 3, 2018 - Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
2018
200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA
Designer Raf Simons accepts the 2018 CFDA Womenswear Designer of The Year award onstage during the 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards at Brooklyn Museum on June 4, 2018 in New York City. (June 3, 2018 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)
2018
200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA
Cate Blanchett presents the 2018 CFDA Womenswear Designer of The Year award to Raf Simons during the 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards Winners Walk at Brooklyn Museum on June 4, 2018 in New York City. (June 3, 2018 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)
2018
643 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
Raf Simons attends the Marc Jacobs Fall 2018 Show at Park Avenue Armory on February 14, 2018 in New York City. (Source: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
Raf Simons
Raf Simons
Raf Simons
Raf Simons
Raf Simons
Raf Simons
Genk, Belgium
Simons graduated in Industrial Design and Furniture Design from a college in Genk in 1991.
He interned for Walter Van Beirendonck while studying. Van Beirendonck took Simons to his first fashion show, Martin Margiela’s Spring 1990 all-white show. Simons told The Gentlewoman of the event: “As a student I always thought that fashion was a bit superficial, all glitz and glamour, but this show changed everything for me. I walked out of it and I thought, That’s what I’m going to do. That show is the reason I became a fashion designer.”
Fantastic Man, Issue 14: Mr. Raf Simons
Young Raf Simons
His parents
His parents
Alessandro Michele
(The series of photographs, collected under the banner 'Is...)
The series of photographs, collected under the banner 'Isolated Heroes', are the result of the collaboration British photographer David Sims and Belgian menswear designer Raf Simons undertook in the summer of 1999. Featured on the pictures are Raf Simons' models, dressed in his collection for Spring-Summer 2000.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9110369287/?tag=2022091-20
(Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons' clothes are both ins...)
Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons' clothes are both inspired by and designed for confident male outsiders. This book--published on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Simons's work--presents both a wide range of the intellectual and creative aspects of the designer's work that have sealed his position at the top of fashion's roster.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/888158543X/?tag=2022091-20
Raf Simons was born on January 12, 1968, in Neerpelt, Belgium. Simons's father, Jacques, was an army night watchman who enlisted when he was 17. His mother, Alda Beckers, became a house cleaner at 15.
Raf attended middle school and high school in Belgium.
Simons graduated in Industrial Design and Furniture Design from a college in Genk in 1991. He interned for Walter Van Beirendonck while studying. Van Beirendonck took Simons to his first fashion show, Martin Margiela’s Spring 1990 all-white show. Simons told The Gentlewoman of the event: “As a student I always thought that fashion was a bit superficial, all glitz and glamour, but this show changed everything for me. I walked out of it and I thought, That’s what I’m going to do. That show is the reason I became a fashion designer.”
While in university, he was hanging out at Antwerp’s Witzli-Poetzli café and became friends with Olivier Rizzo, Willy Vanderperre, and Veronique Branquinho. Much of this cast of photographers, stylists, and designers remain Simons’s closest collaborators to this day.
Simons began a career as a furniture designer. With the encouragement of Linda Loppa, head of the fashion department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, he produced his first collection of menswear in 1995, thus bringing the Raf Simons label into being. His look, which fused outsider youth apparel with traditional business attire, gained an immediate following.
In 2000 Simons closed his company for a sabbatical; later that year he accepted an appointment as head of the fashion department of Vienna’s University of Applied Arts, a position he held until 2005. Simons reopened his Antwerp-based company in 2001 and added a second line of menswear, Raf by Raf Simons, in 2005. That year proved to be significant for the designer, as the Jil Sander label, known for understated designs for both men and women, tapped him to replace Sander as creative director in spite of the fact that he had never before designed womenswear. His first collection for Jil Sander showed respect for the label’s minimalist aesthetic combined with his own subtle elegance.
Between October 2000 and June 2005, Simons taught fashion at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, leaving due to his growing commitments to the Jil Sander brand.
In February 2012 Simons left Jil Sander, and two months later he became artistic director at Christian Dior; he replaced John Galliano, who had been fired the previous year. Simon’s first collection for the French label was shown in July 2012. He earned praise for remaining true to the romantic aesthetic of the brand while imparting a modern sensibility. Simons announced his departure from the position in October 2015. The following year he became chief creative officer of Calvin Klein.
In 2016, Raf Simons collaborated with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation for his Spring-Summer 2017 collection. The collection debuted at Pitti Uomo in Florence, Italy.
Simon's first collection debuted for the Fall 2017 season. New York Magazine stated, "The Most Anticipated Fashion Show in Decades Turned Out to Be Brilliant."
The talented Raf Simons is an eminent fashion designer of the current era. He has become one of fashion’s most central and celebrated figures since entering the industry in 1995, thanks to his work at his eponymous menswear label and stints as creative director at Jil Sander and Dior. In 2016, it was announced that the Belgian will be the next creative director of Calvin Klein, overseeing women’s and men’s ready-to-wear.
Simons was the recipient of various honours. In 2003, Simons received the Swiss Textiles Award, receiving material benefits at the value of €100,000. In 2017 he became the second person to win both the Menswear Designer of the Year and the Womenswear Designer of the Year awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He received the latter award again in 2018.
He became one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2017.
(The series of photographs, collected under the banner 'Is...)
(Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons' clothes are both ins...)
Raf doesn't support Donald Trump's politics.
Raf Simons doesn’t consider himself an artist. He doesn’t think fashion should be in a museum at all.
Quotations:
"I'm usually very attracted to things that I can't define. If something's too clear, it's very often not inspiring to me anymore."
"Computers let people avoid people, going out to explore. It's so different to just open a website instead of looking at a Picasso in a museum in Paris."
"The fashion world doesn't know the word 'stop,' so you have to make sure there are sublime moments every day."
"My point of view is that if I love a certain kind of beauty, I want more of that beauty. I don't need 200 different beauties."
"Dress codes and gestures and attitudes have always inspired me, as has youth culture in general, although now I question it more. If you analyze youth cultures over history, there has always been something strict about them - you have to be like this or like that."
"Fashion is such an octopus. You're connected to so many people: suppliers, pattern makers, production teams, marketing teams, vendors."
"I'm not so rock and roll. I'm more techno."
"You cannot have adoration without being criticized."
"I am somebody who focuses on a dialogue between generations - that's the drive of my work. I believe the young generation take the power; they'll take over at one point, but the older generation, they'll push it away only because of the fear. I'm the opposite; I'm curious."
"Fashion is so mass-produced now; I hope there will come a refocus on how people see couture. And I would also hope for a new focus on the craft."
"My own brand will stand or fall because of me. Dior won't fall if I fall. It will also still stand if I'm not there. I'm coming in there, and it's like a - I don't know the English word - like a passage."
"I'm fascinated by the way Diane Arbus saw things. She came from this fashion background and then twisted it."
"I don't have so many things in the fashion world that interest me. It's probably because I am so deeply into it. Often when you go very deep into something, you also discover what it's about, and you understand it better. With the art world, I still have a lot of curiosity."
"My mother was a cleaning lady all her life."
"My challenge is to find a beautiful balance: to make women beautiful, to make a woman dream to wear a beautiful outfit."
"You can instantly spot a Chanel woman, so I want to develop the Dior woman."
"One of the first things I picked up when I was very, very young out of a record store was work from Peter Saville - the early things he used to do for Factory Records."
Simons has always aimed to elicit emotion with his work. He certainly gets emotional about it: He’s wept backstage at his shows — with happiness, perhaps, or relief, but certainly not sadness.
He is gay.
Physical Characteristics:
Height: 6 feet 0 inches (1.83m)
Hair color: brown
Eye color: blue
Raf is in relations with Jean-Georges d'Orazio.
Alessandro Michele is an Italian fashion designer appointed creative director of Gucci in January 2015.
