Men’s – Time Elapse. Raf Simons SS16

June 25, 2015June 25, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

The message behind Raf Simons‘ SS16 is quite melancholic, but so, so true – everything passes away as time goes by. In this collection, Raf presented the difference in fashion that ruled at the times of his grandpa, and at the time of today’s youth – knitted polos versus hoodies, fancy coats contrasting with whie sneakers. But in reality, the hoods were the biggest clue, giving the models and the show venue an eerie atmosphere. Half of the models walked with heads wrapped in checked textile (vision obscured to the point where at least a couple of them pitched off the raised catwalk). Hoodies have become a contemporary emblem of teenager, but Simons made his hoods medieval in shape. Monastic. And that automatically created a connection between the brotherhood of a medieval monastery and the brotherhood of a 21st-century gang of boys. Also, I feel like this collection wanted to represent the topic of martyrs, which was briefly moved by the chains carried by the models which staggered through the runway. But this mystery can be revealed only by the designer.

Bubble – Trouble. Dior Resort’16

May 12, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Pierre Cardin’s famous Palais Bulles was fashion central yesterday with celebrities, journalists, and Cardin himself gathered for Raf Simons’ Dior Resort 2016 show. Le Palais Bulles is just that—a palace of terra-cotta bubbles set into a cliffside halfway between Cannes and Monaco. It’s utopian and kind of goofy in its infantile design .”Playful, sweet…childish, almost,” said Raf Simons, as he reflected on a venue he fell in love with five years ago, when he was first brought here. “The house is big but intimate, and it doesn’t behave like an authority,” he continued. “And Dior can do that sometimes, especially if you look at it from an architectural point of view.” But coming to the clothes – the warm, chilled-out shade of terra-cotta was mostly everywhere, on the silk mini-skirts to checked blouses. My total favourite was this dress above – made out of mesh and knitwear, it seems to be light, soft and fleecy. And the shoes which were inspired by Marie Antoinette are great, too. That was a lovely collection, Raf.

Abstract Feel. Dior AW15

March 9, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Oh yes! Raf Simons again makes his fashion interesting. For fall, the RTW collection looks cosmic – high-tech sequins look like second, shiny skin of the model; the psychodelic latex boots and printed dresses are super eye-catchy. The green coat is toxic in it’s beauty. Everything lacquered and at the same time reminding something of reptiles and other animals. The furs and interesting fluid-like craft techniques are mind-blowing. Raf Simons described this collection not only primitive in a sense, but as “something more liberated, darker, more sexual.” Something more than Dior’s femme fleur, in other words which he brought monotonously for few seasons.

HC: Latex Dreams. Dior SS15

January 30, 2015January 30, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Raf Simons did some crazy latex knee boots with rhinestone crystal inside. Having Allen Jones provoking furniture and art on his mood-board, Raf Simons fused Great Gatsby jumpsuits, 60’s prints and flattering 70’s silhouettes into one, beautiful collection. “My first Couture shows were exercises in understanding the history. The more you understand, the more you see what it can become.” Definitely, Raf is more into couture at Dior… thoses striped tulle skirts are mesmerising! So tribal. The jumpsuits look chic and stylish. And latex shoes which covered the legs made it all a bit eccentric, sexy, flirty.

Photos by Lea Colombo

Men’s – Gender Fuse. Raf Simons AW15

January 24, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Raf Simons is one of those Belgian designers, that always surprise. And, again, I must admit – Raf is much better at his own label than at Dior. Here he can really experiment, have fun. “Youth on a pedestal.” That was Simons explanation of the staging of his show tonight, with its catwalk raised high above the crowd. The models wore almost-floor-length coats, gilets, that could be really analised by the editors.”I wish there could be 10,000 people here tonight,” Simons said of the warehouse on the outskirts of Paris where he staged his show. “A gathering of people, the way it was in the beginning.” After seeing this collection, I thought of first Helmut Lang collections, and Raf Simons archives. This collection, thanks to it’s gender fusing silhouettes, wild doodles placed on the coats, yellow golfs and crotchets, felt so different. Nostalgic. Youthful. Definitely that’s what Raf wanted to produce this season.