Raf Simons Review: Fall Winter 2021

From being admired by the rap/ hip-hop industry to his die-hard followers, Raf Simons has earned his immortalization in fashion history. Simons, similar to his new co-creative director Miuccia Prada, embodies and emulates himself within his work. With an extensive career that has spanned working at Jil Sanders, Dior, Calvin Klein and now helming at Prada (all while keeping his own label), Simons has created a legacy few others could ever hope to come close in replication.

For the Fall Winter 2021 season, Simons showcased his eponymous collection of womenswear and menswear that will go down as one of his best. Simons used the following six words to title the show: ataraxia, equanimity, dichotomy, synchronicity, allegiance, and devotion. Simons states, “The collection is about things I love—things I have always loved, that are always there in every collection, in the processes behind it, and the clothes.” Continuously evolving, Simons’s work has gotten simpler, more streamlined, and sleeker (if that’s even possible). The silhouettes have gotten bigger, almost repelling the body’s natural shape. Standouts in the collection include A-line coats, layered puffy vets, flared trousers, and obscenely long sleeves that are perfect for avoiding human contact.

Similar to his creation of putting a twist on the Prada logo for coats, Simons created his own tailor-like label patches on sweaters, gloves, and button-downs. The patch is tasteful enough to repel all memories of the crude logomania that has over-commercialized the fashion industry since its reemergence. A range of accessories appeal to the eye: hearts, “R” and “S” letters, skeleton earrings, “R” script-monogram pins, and running boots with gum heels. Best of all is the creation of Simons’ Memento Mori skeleton cuffs, available in variations of silver, sky blue, royal purple, green, algae blue-green, and baby pink.

Here are some of the most eye-catching looks from Raf Simons's newest collection.

Source: Vogue Runway

Cocoon quilted jackets with rooming for layering

Source: Vogue Runway

Brightly hued, oversized sleeved lazy sweaters

Source: Vogue Runway

Raf Simons new tailor-esque logo patch throughout the runway

Source: Vogue Runway

Skeleton hand-cuff accessories

Source: Vogue Runway

Memento Mori grunge jewelry

With nearly 30 years under his belt at his namesake brand, Simons's newest collection has once again turned heads. Despite the continuous calls by the designer to slow down the frenzied pace of fashion, Simons shows no sign of stopping. Between Prada and his own label, Simons has continued to innovate as the next phase of fashion begins to emerge post-pandemic.