Raf Simons, the Belgian fashion luminary, born in 1968 in Neerpelt, Belgium, emerged as a leading figure in contemporary menswear with the launch of his eponymous label in 1995. After studying industrial design, Simons transitioned into fashion, drawing inspiration from youth culture, music, and art. His early collections disrupted traditional menswear conventions with their minimalist yet visionary designs, blending streetwear influences with high fashion sensibilities. Simons' adeptness at infusing subcultural references with sophisticated tailoring quickly garnered acclaim, establishing him as a prominent force in the fashion landscape. After 27 years of operations, Raf Simons announced that he would close his eponymous brand in November 2022.