With Brexit fucking up our summer plans, costs of living soaring, the climate crisis spiralling, and a bunch of politicians that make The Thick of It cast look competent running the country, it’s safe to say that plenty of us living here would be quick to label the UK a grotty little island of deep misery.
One thing it does have going for it, however, is its fashions – from Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, to KNWLS and Chopova Lowena, the SS23 edition of London Fashion Week proved itself the most exhilarating, experimental city among ‘the big four’ – the scrappy little sibling of glossy NY, glam Milan, and chic AF Paris.
Someone who’s seemingly got a bit of a soft spot for London is Raf Simons, who announced that he’d be heading to the UK capital in September. That is, before the Queen’s death came in and scuppered those plans almost entirely. The Belgian designer, who usually shows his eponymous label’s collections in Paris was slated to land in the city to show his SS23 men’s and women’s offering on September 16 – a date which has now been moved back to October 13, coinciding with the Frieze Festival.
“It’s been a dream for a while to show in London – a city where fashion and creativity is omnipresent in the streets, and where I see exceptional people with a strong, unique style,” Simons explained. “I’m extremely excited that this dream is becoming a reality now, and I’m very happy to welcome the amazing people and faces that make up the London scene to my show. Can’t wait to see you and dance the night away.”
Simons has long felt an affinity with UK subculture. Some of his most iconic collections draw on the UK music scene and some of its most legendary figures, including New Order. The designer mined the iconic Mancunian band’s back catalogue for what’s probably become his most definitive offering – AW03’s Closer – which plastered Peter Saville’s artworks across the back of parkas and oversized tailoring.
Needless to say we’re mega excited about this news and can’t wait to see what Simons has in store for us. Keep your eyes peeled come September for more, and revisit his last show in the gallery above.