Raf Simons announces the end of his namesake brand

This feature was initially published on the eve of Raf Simons’ SS23 show. In the wake of the announcement that the show was the Belgian designer’s last for his eponymous label, as posted on the brand’s Instagram, we reshare the label’s extensive contribution to the i-D archive. Updates to follow…

As iconic as Raf Simons own fashion history, is his archive within the world of i-D. Terry and Tricia Jones, founders of i-D, state that Raf caught their eye in 1995 due to his vibrant and avant-garde presentations in Paris that saw the Belgian designer coach in teenagers from the streets of Antwerp and Cologne to walk the runway in his rebellious, youthful menswear creations. These fascinating collections of a legendary designer were often captured on the pages of i-D in the Y2K era, as well as in videos by Terry himself.

In February 2001, Raf guest-edited The Inspiration Issue of i-D, which included the story, titled “Forever I Am A Part Of You And Me” — photographed by Willy Vanderperre and styled by Olivier Rizzo — that brought about one of our most recognisable covers. In fact it was so iconic, and beloved by all involved, that the team reunited to recreate it in 2020 for i-D’s 40th anniversary issue. Across the years — and his tenures at Jill Sander, Christian Dior and Calvin Klein — Raf’s creations have adorned our pages, most notably in a cover story with Kate Moss in a stunning bubblegum pink Dior bow. A reclusive figure, Raf too has sometimes been captured amongst our pages. After joining Miuccia Prada in the creative direction of Prada in 2020, Raf returned to the pages of i-D for The Utopia in Dystopia Issue to celebrate the union made in heaven by returning to his roots and showcasing creations on young Belgians, like he did nearly three decades prior.

As Raf showcases his new collection in London, we go back through our archives and his work in our magazine through the years.

Raf Simons guest edited issue of I-D the inspiration issue, February 2001, cover — Photography Willy Vanderperre. Styling Olivier Rizzo. i-D The Inspiration Issue guest-edited by Raf Simons, No.206, February 2001

Photo of Kate Moss in the Raf Simons guest edited issue of I-D the inspiration issue, February 2001 — i-D The Inspiration Issue guest-edited by Raf Simons, No.206, February 2001

Photo of someone at a sale in the Raf Simons guest edited issue of I-D the inspiration issue, February 2001 — i-D The Inspiration Issue guest-edited by Raf Simons, No.206, February 2001

Photo of someone in a printed vest against a wall in the Raf Simons guest edited issue of I-D the inspiration issue, February 2001 — i-D The Inspiration Issue guest-edited by Raf Simons, No.206, February 2001

Photo of a girl naked in bed in the Raf Simons guest edited issue of I-D the inspiration issue, February 2001 — i-D The Inspiration Issue guest-edited by Raf Simons, No.206, February 2001

Photo of a man in a shirt in the Raf Simons guest edited issue of I-D the inspiration issue, February 2001 — i-D The Inspiration Issue guest-edited by Raf Simons, No.206, February 2001

Photo of a girl in a tee and a blazer in the Raf Simons guest edited issue of I-D the inspiration issue, February 2001 — i-D The Inspiration Issue guest-edited by Raf Simons, No.206, February 2001

Photo in the Raf Simons guest edited issue of I-D the inspiration issue, February 2001 — i-D The Inspiration Issue guest-edited by Raf Simons, No.206, February 2001

Photo of a model wearing Raf Simons in i-D The 21 Issue, No.212, August 2001 — Photography Corinne Day. Styling Panos Yiapanis. i-D The 21 Issue, No.212, August 2001

Photo of a model wearing Raf Simons in i-D The Studio Issue, No.241, March 2004 — Ben Morris. Photography Kevin Davis. Styling Mark Anthony. i-D The Studio Issue, No.241, March 2004

Photo of a model wearing Raf Simons in i-D The New Dawn Issue, No.247, September 2004 — Kim Hungyoung. Photography Takay. Styling Mika Mizutani. i-D The New Dawn Issue, No.247, September 2004

Photo of Raf Simons in i-D The Lights Camera Action Issue, No.319, Summer 2012 — Raf Simons. Photography Willy Vanderperre. Styling Olivier Rizzo. i-D The Lights Camera Action Issue, No.319, Summer 2012

Photo of a model wearing Raf Simons in i-D The Wise Up Issue, No.322, Winter 2012 — Vittorio Marenghi. Photography Manuela Pavesi. Styling Benot Bthume. i-D The Wise Up Issue, No.322, Winter 2012

Photo of a model wearing Raf Simons in i-D The Alphabetical Issue, No.323, Pre-Spring 2013 — Tea Falco. Photography Manuela Pavesi. Styling Benot Bthume. i-D The Alphabetical Issue, No.323, Pre-Spring 2013

Photo of Kate Moss wearing Dior by Raf Simons in i-D The Alphabetical Issue, No.323, Pre-Spring 2013 — Kate Moss. Photography Daniele + Iango. Styling Charlotte Stockdale. i-D The Alphabetical Issue, No.323, Pre-Spring 2013

Photo of models recreating the Raf Simons The Inspiration Issue, February 2001 for i-D The 40th Anniversary Issue, No.361, Winter 2020 — Photography Willy Vanderperre. Styling Olivier Rizzo. i-D The 40th Anniversary Issue, No.361, Winter 2020

Photo of model wearing Raf Simons in i-D The 40th Anniversary Issue, No.361, Winter 2020 — Photography Willy Vanderperre. Styling Olivier Rizzo. i-D The 40th Anniversary Issue, No.361, Winter 2020

Photo of model wearing Raf Simons in i-D The 21 Issue, No.212, August 2001 — Photography Willy Vanderperre. Styling Olivier Rizzo. i-D The 40th Anniversary Issue, No.361, Winter 2020

Photo of models wearing Prada by Raf Simons and Miuccia Prada in i-D The Utopia in Dystopia Issue, No.362, Spring 2021 — Photography Willy Vanderperre. Styling Olivier Rizzo. i-D The Utopia in Dystopia Issue, No.362, Spring 2021

Photo of model wearing Prada by Raf Simons and Miuccia Prada in i-D The Utopia in Dystopia Issue, No.362, Spring 2021 — Photography Willy Vanderperre. Styling Olivier Rizzo. i-D The Utopia in Dystopia Issue, No.362, Spring 2021