Every once in a while a designer comes along with the ability to change the fashion industry forever. Whose vision is so unique, belief system so strong, that their work exists up there amongst the fashion hall of fame. Raf Simons is that designer.
Originally appeared in The Lights, Camera, Action Issue, Summer 2012. Pick-up a copy here.
At Jil Sander, Raf proved his understanding of purism, his love of sharp, clean lines and chic, modern silhouettes. While his passion for art, music and film added a poetic quality to his work, that immediately spoke out to the new generation. After seven years as Creative Director of Jil Sander, Raf has moved on to pastures new. His new appointment as Artistic Director of Dior will see him step away from his reputation as a ‘minimal designer’ and embrace a wildly new aesthetic, discipline, and customer base. Raf will make his Dior debut at Paris couture week this July marking the start of a momentous new chapter for two of the fashion industry’s biggest players. To say we’re excited is an understatement! In his first cover shoot for i-D, Raf joins forces with good friends and fellow visionaries Olivier Rizzo and Willy Vanderperre. Welcome to a new dawn. i-D’s Editor-in-Chief Terry Jones reports…
Text: Terry Jones and Holly Shackleton
Photography: Willy Vanderperre
Styling: Olivier Rizzo
