Since his relocation to New York City to take the creative helm at Calvin Klein, Raf Simons' work has been rejuvenated by a palpable slew of references and design codes influenced by the Belgian-native's experience as an immigrant to the US in the protectionist age of President Trump.
Sometimes subversive, but often infectiously optimistic, Raf has masterfully tapped into the socio-political zeitgeist of how America's relationship with other countries is changing. Using his own status as a newcomer to the 'Land of the Free', Raf shines a light on the changing face of America in an unprecedented period of political polarity as centuries of tension surrounding social inequality bubble to the surface.
For his SS18 presentation, Simons delivered a sense of NYC authenticity by opting to present his forward-facing collection outdoors, in the neon-lit back alleys of Chinatown. Borrowing ambient temperatures, smells, and lighting to create an atmosphere of familiarity, Raf Simons collection conveyed a true-t0-life urban grit which spoke fluently about the experiences of megacity natives.
The collection itself was - much like America - a frenetic melting pot of cultural cues and aesthetic references. Focusing particularly on the rapid collision of Western and Asian cultures in a hyper-globalised landscape, Raf Simons SS18 felt forward thinking and influential, undercut with the perfect dose of impending dystopia to feel relevant to the time.
