Belgian designer Raf Simons will close his eponymous fashion brand after 27 years, he announced on Monday. Simons made the unexpected news public on Instagram , writing that the Spring-Summer 2023 collection will be the last.
"I can't find the words to show how proud I am of everything we've achieved. I am grateful for the incredible support from my team, my co-workers, the media and buyers, my friends and family, and our devoted fans and loyal followers. Thank you all, for believing in our vision and for believing in me," he wrote.
Over nearly three decades, Simons has become a household name in the fashion industry. He launched his brand in 1995 and has held successive roles as artistic director at Jil Sander, Christian Dior and Calvin Klein, before becoming artistic director at Prada alongside Miuccia Prada in April 2020, a post he there is still
In 2017, Simons was named Designer of the Year by the American Council of Fashion Designers for his work at Calvin Klein and Designer of the Year by the British Fashion Council.
He is considered one of the most famous designers in modern fashion, influencing menswear and womenswear around the world. His fans include Rihanna, Emma Watson and Charlize Theron.
