Raf Simons’ furniture thesis collection, titled “Corpo,” was a groundbreaking project that marked the beginning of his illustrious design career. Created in 1991 as his graduation project from the LUCA School of Arts in Genk, “Corpo” explores the relationship between the human body and the objects we use. The collection consists of seven pieces, each named after aspects of the human form such as Protection, Beauty, Female Body, Male Body, Ornament, X-Ray, and Second Skin.
The central theme of “Corpo” is the interplay between the internal structure and external surface, akin to the skin of the human body. Simons delves into the concept of dressing up, body ornaments, and decoration, drawing parallels between the adornment of the body and the design of furniture. Each piece in the collection serves as a metaphorical body, with an inside and an outside, reflecting the dual nature of our own existence.
The design language of “Corpo” is minimalistic yet profound, combining basic forms with modern art influences. It’s here that the definitive graphic form of the Raf Simons logo first appeared, signaling the consistent identity and design philosophy that Simons would carry forward into his fashion career. The collection was originally presented through a black VHS tape, which conveyed an underground and raw aesthetic that would later become characteristic of Simons’ early fashion collections.
