RUNWAY: Raf Simons SS12
Raf Simons went back to his roots today with signature pieces, like slender black suits updated to be modern and with a bit of pizzazz, courtesy of gold trim on oxfords. He also played with fit and proportion a bit as well, with outerwear being oversized and trousers being slim, creating an interesting silhouette. Probably the most noteworthy pieces of the collection were the ones decked out in plaid.There was plenty of plaid to go around; this isn't the plaid you'd see on the runways of rag&bone but Raf Simons-plaid, meaning it was textural and three-dimensional with sewn on additions to create interest and draw the eye away from the monotony that plaid can sometimes bring. As stated above, Simons' black oxfords were trimmed with gold above the sole, creating such a subtle yet powerful statement of personal style. We also loved the tiny trim of plaid on shirt collars and the bottom edges of shirts.
Raf Simons is one of the most influential designers around and he delivered another spectacular collection, with the crumbling of his previous licensing agreement behind him, he came out for SS12 with a bang, with a statement that said "I'm here to stay." And, for that, we are thankful.