Legendary Belgian Designer Raf Simons Is Closing his Namesake Label

Raf Simons’ Spring/Summer 2023 collection will be the final season of his eponymous label, according to news shared via the brand’s official Instagram account this morning. The collection’s show, staged during London’s Frieze Art Fair in October, transformed into a rave shortly after the catwalk concluded.

In his Instagram post, Simons wrote, ‘I lack the words to share how proud I am of all that we have achieved. 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’.

The unexpected news bookends a sterling 27 years in the industry, the Raf Simons imprint originally launched in Antwerp in 1995. Simons minted his eponymous label after working as a furniture designer and intern at Walter Van Beirendonck’s design studio – a fellow Belgian designer.

Still, that doesn’t mean we’re not going to see plenty more of Raf! Simons will curate Prada’s menswear show in Milan in January, where he has served as the co-creative director since early 2020. Previously, Simons has taken on creative director roles at Christian Dior, Calvin Klein, and Jil Sanders.

For more Raf Simons, make sure to check out his most iconic pre-adidas sneakers here!