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Fw01 “Riot Riot Riot” Skirted Camo Bomber
Raf Simons Fw01 "Riot Riot Riot" Skirted Camo Bomber. As Raf's garments become more and more coveted, only circulating in the tucked away collector's marketplace, it becomes harder to document the pieces that actually hold historical and aesthetic significance as they become harder to come in hand. Held at an abandoned warehouse in Paris, fog machines spewing smoke, Aphex Twin blaring overhead was Raf's most influential and iconic runway: FW01 "Riot! Riot! Riot!", dedicated to isolated hero Richey Edwards from the Manic Street Preachers. Models were coded in black, grey, olive and muddy colours, completely covered in scarves, outerwear, baggy pants, oversized everything. This was a massive turn for Raf, as his previous collections consisted of sartorial, slim, finely cut and precisely designed garments which were influenced by upperclass youth. Undoubtedly influential to current day designers, but mostly ignored by the hoi polloi at its time. “At the flea market in Vienna, I saw youngsters from the Ukraine or Romania, who simply lay layer by layer and thus create their own volumes because of the cold,” Neue Zürcher Zeitung Raf captured the ethos of iconoclasm with this season. The runway was filled with large silhouettes of intense layering and wreaked of radicalism. Each look represented a slice of opposition, more specifically from the youth. This collection also happened to be shown a bit before the 9/11 attacks, but is believed to be more of a quiet observation of racial tensions and political turmoil in northern Europe at the time. Skirted bomber is actually a repurposed surplus military bomber with a detachable skirt made with thick double layered cotton. Faded and meant to look worn. First look that walked the catwalk. 8/10 condition. One Size, Fits S-XL.$8,350 -
AW02 “Virginia Creeper” DigiCamo Turtleneck
Raf Simons AW02 Virginia Creeper Digicamo Turtleneck. For AW02 Raf used this muddy digicamo print as layering pieces for the heavier outerwear. This turtleneck rendition is cropped and skinny. 9/10 condition. Size 46, fits small, best for an xs.$500 -
SS03 “Consumed” Penelope Tree Shark Hoodie
"There are three reasons to come to Paris: Hedi Slimane of Dior, Tom Ford of Yves Saint Laurent and Helmut Lang. Actually, there is a fourth -- Raf Simons, who in a parking garage on Sunday night -- on a platform made of crushed soda cans -- superbly articulated how contemporary culture has become a thoughtless Pac-Man, gobbling up products as well as references. It's rare for a designer to make a political statement in fashion and still offer wearable clothes" -- Cathy Horyn 2002 Raf Simons SS03 "Consumed" Penelope Tree Shark Hoodie in blue over black. SS03 "Consumed" is Raf's quiet observation of consumerism, or to be "consumed" by consumerism -- Its effects on youth; Their impartial interaction with such commercial entities and the molding of adolescent identities rooting from the collective indifference towards the squandering influence of commercial identities. This is the iconic and highly sought after hooded sweatshirt featuring Penelope Tree, from Truman Capote's Black & White ball, and Steven Spielberg's mechanical shark from Jaws in the backdrop, with "Diamond Co-Opted" written underneath the kangaroo pocket. The Penelope Tree print featured here on the hoodie derives from a picture which served as a pivotal point in fashion, youth culture and high society America. The original black and white picture has beanpole figured Tree staring dauntingly out in the distance from amongst a group of middle age socialites. This grabbed the attention of prominent figures of fashion and despite strong opposition from Penelope's father, as she was 16, Penelope Tree became the quintessential swinging sixties icon which galvanized female youth culture and movements at the time. Furthermore, inspired a generation of artists and designers to look at youth culture for inspiration and solidified the Youthquake movement. As for Raf Simons, and this is purely out of speculation, Penelope Tree holds a special place of interest as his source of inspiration will be and has been the youth.$1 -
FW13 Border KnitCrewneck Sweater
Raf Simons FW14 Border Knit Crewneck Sweater. Multi-material wool/cotton/mohair soft sweater with complementing coloured stripes in various sizes. Slightly chunky and wide. 8.5/10 condition, mild pilling. Size XL fits L-XL.$485 -
AW05 “History of My World” Peter De Potter Hoodie
Raf Simons AW05 "History of My World" Hoodie with Peter De Potter graphic. Raf's relationship with Peter de Potter is the foundation for the label's well acclaimed cryptic graphical works. Both graduating from The Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and originally a supposed one time collaboration for 2000-2001, the two worked together under the guidance of head of fashion Walter Van Brenondoink (a strong advocate of interdisciplinary work) with photographer Willy Vanderpere and stylist Oliver Rizzio to create the book "Isolated Heroes", the catalyst to Raf's prime years. Raf Simons later borrowed photographs from said book in a recent collection titled "Isolated Heroes". Crafted poems, graphics, collages which abruptly collided with Raf's relationship with music or youth and were displayed in a vague, enigmatic medium was spearheaded by Peter de Potter and continued 9 years after Isolated Heroes. Due to the nature of the graphics, the words or prints on Raf's clothing is a melting pot of musical and personal references which require acute dissection. Seems though, there's something -real- which emanates past all those layers that make some gravitate towards Raf/Peter's work. 9/10 condition. Size 54, very rare size, fits big, XL-XXL.$1,500 -
AW04 “Waves” Paisley YinYang Crewneck
Raf Simons AW04 "Waves" Paisley Yin/Yang Crewneck Pullover. The Ying/Yang design was used throughout the collection as a possibly reference to a euro-techno recording label and a nudge to the "Waves" ethos which is summed up beautifully here: "The collection for explores the idea of conscious confinement and wilful enclosure. Again starting with the concept of an imaginary community outside of regulated society, the whole of the collection evokes the feeling of enlightenment and personal enrichment one can find in extreme but self-chosen isolation. The collection references at random various drop-out cultures that are conceived as likeminded tribes but when examined closely, are in fact gatherings of individuals seeking self-fulfilment through lonely practice. Wave cultures, cultures of rave waves and ocean waves. Eyes closed, alone with music, living only inside music, happily disappearing into the vortex of sounds and emotions. Arms wide open, alone with nature, taking to the sea, drifting away from the shore, fully realising the only options are drowning or surviving." Size 46, fits oversized. Can accommodate an S-L.$582 -
The Cure 1982 Tour Dates Longsleeve
Raf Simons FW05 Longsleeve "The Cure" 82-83 Tour Dates Longsleeve. Black tee features a print of Robert Smith, lead singer of legendary post-punk band "The Cure", and European tour dates from the 1982 -83 'Four Explicit Moments' and 'The Pornography' tour. FW05 was titled "History of My World" featuring tailoring from a futuristic perspective with slim and boxy uppers, scrunched and tucked mid sections and pleated and baggy bottoms. This is yet another graphic which stemmed from Raf's study of the youth's relationship with prime era post-punk/kraftwerk music, with other collections' graphics/designs borrowed from Joy Division, Krafwerk, Black Flag and Bauhaus. 8/10 condition. Size 46, Fits slim and long. Best for slim M or tall S.$440$400 -
AW03 “Closer” Puffer Down Moto Jacket
Raf Simons AW03 "Closer" Puffer Down Moto Jacket in a dark navy. Simons's "Closer" touches base with his roots to music, especially with Joy Division and New Order, with Raf's Peter Saville admiration spearheading the entire collection. Taken from the Mode Museum in Antwerp: "This season, Raf Simons was granted full access to the archives of Peter Saville. Raf Simons made a personal selection of Saville-designed works (some of them previously unseen) to integrate them into his collection. As a long-time admirer of Peter Saville, Raf Simons considers this a great honour, and therefore dedicates his collection to the man who put an unique spin on music culture. The collection itself focuses on traditional styles and fabrics, augmented by a mod influence. Linked to the aesthetics of Peter Saville, there are also touches of early Russian Constructivism, Bauhaus and vintage British looks. At the same time, the collection reflects on the process of growing up and (re)considering adulthood, citing references to childhood dress codes, formal business looks and ghetto rebellion." Cleanly executed crossover of a puffer jacket and moto jacket, which nods to two different functions and styles from two worlds and tailors them harmoniously together. Puffer jacket is structured as a moto jacket and sought to be fitted close to the chest. Multiple functional zip pockets. Snap button down lapels. Round and wide silhouette. Adjustable waist buckles. Arm pocket. High waisted. 8/10 condition. Right pocket is blown out and needs repair. Size 54, extremely rare size. Fits an XL-XXL.$1,200 -
FW04 “Waves” BODYSNATCHERS Tee
FW04-05 Raf Simons "Waves" Body Snatchers tee. Most likely referencing Finney's Novel and the multiple adaptations of "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers". Print is a thick, robust material as always with older raf. Dye processing is apparent as the tee's colour is muddy. Thin and elastic cut and sew tee. Oversized Length. Rare vibrant orange version. 8/10 condition. Sz 48, fits long medium. Works better on the tall and lanky.$224 -
SS09 Christopher Wool “R” Towel
Raf Simons SS09 “Christopher Wool” Typographic 72″ x 38″ Towel. Raf starts the drawing board with a foundation of an artist’s ethos once again. The low key SS09 collection featured typographic designs on vests, shirts, pullovers with American artist “Christopher Wool”-like art. Some of the designs featured embroidery with unfinished hems and strings falling from the fabric. For this one out of three iteration towel, we have a simple Christopher Wool-like "R" for "Raf Simons". 9/10 condition. Comes with original box.$620$500