RAF by Raf Simons S/S 2006 review

[kLm]

P.S. kLm, which hoodie are you referring too? Is it the one with all the zippers? I liked it too. I was told that they just bought one, more of a showpiece rather than merchandise. <Went to look at 7 website> I see the difference, the one in 7 is a Spring/Summer piece, made of cotton. The one at A is Fall/Winter, knit of fine wool. There are probably other differences too (maybe it's hand knit?).

That's probably the difference, although I was pretty sure they were the same item. In any case, it is a really cool item, and the $550 one would have been slightly more palatable... but still unaffordable!

 

[The Baron]

Here's the part where I overanalyze something.

I like the name. I like it because I suspect there's more to it than just using the first name.

Everything he does has these little references to musical culture past & present, and looking at this image on the coming soon splash page, I'm thinking this time it's a mod thing. RAF as in Royal Air Force...red white and blue..."My Generation"...one of the archetypal instances of a well-dressed youth culture. It's not just Raf, it's R.A.F. by Raf Simons.

Or, it could be nothing.

But even if it's nothing, I don't really care about the name, if the clothes are good. B)

 

[rui]

Raf has been in the industry for 10 years and in his ten years he has been in forefront of menswear but not on the tip of everyones tounge. He has held on to that position for quite some time. He probably now feels that it is his turn to grab some spotlight. Are you not at all sick of the same names in fashion being constantly talked about. or these young, very young, designers coming out of nowhere and everyone scopping them up like money on the street! He is making and growing his company just like any other deisgner would. The Jill Sander gig is going to propell him into the limelight real fast...so why not a diffusion line...at least he will do it well, i hope. Raf is a designers designer. He creates on the basis of concept and that is a beautiful thing...not many designers are doing that at all anymore. its all about "young lady going up town to meet grtandma for tea!" that is not a fashion concept that is a bunch of crap which results in a crappy collection that makes me want to gag!!!!!
So thank god we still have Raf and a handful of others who challenge us!! but like any other challenging deisgner you need to make money to float along or you will just drown in the corporate plague of the industry. SO here it is, his take on what he needs to stay afloat. Bless him for holding out for 10 years before doing so!!!!! much respect to him for that!
and about the whole buisness class thing..um of course he is going to fly buisness class...who doesn't when they are traveling for work. where should he sit with the luggage??!!!!!

 

[baklanyc]

One thing, for Atelier guys: they have that awesome Raf hoodie with the wingsleeves, which I had tried to get through Seven (for $550)... it is $1250 at Atelier! Anyone else notice that?

If you're talking about the cape with the hood and handwarmer pockets, it's a style from last Fall that the Raf people found extra stock of in their storage, and are reselling for this season. Atelier bought the wool one, Seven is going to sell the fleece/cotton version, which I believe explains the price difference. I tried it out and I was swimming in it, so despite my loving the concept, I will be passing on it.

 

[kLm]

If you're talking about the cape with the hood and handwarmer pockets, it's a style from last Fall that the Raf people found extra stock of in their storage, and are reselling for this season. Atelier bought the wool one, Seven is going to sell the fleece/cotton version, which I believe explains the price difference. I tried it out and I was swimming in it, so despite my loving the concept, I will be passing on it.

I'm talking about this:

(image from sevennewyork.com)
If we are talking about the same thing, well, the fit at Atelier was great on me, and I'd think about buying the cotton one if I could find it..

 

[baklanyc]

I'm talking about this:

(image from sevennewyork.com)
If we are talking about the same thing, well, the fit at Atelier was great on me, and I'd think about buying the cotton one if I could find it..

I was talking about the cape hoodie, so, ...uhm... never mind!

 

[faust]

Raf has been in the industry for 10 years and in his ten years he has been in forefront of menswear but not on the tip of everyones tounge. He has held on to that position for quite some time. He probably now feels that it is his turn to grab some spotlight. Are you not at all sick of the same names in fashion being constantly talked about. or these young, very young, designers coming out of nowhere and everyone scopping them up like money on the street! He is making and growing his company just like any other deisgner would. The Jill Sander gig is going to propell him into the limelight real fast...so why not a diffusion line...at least he will do it well, i hope. Raf is a designers designer. He creates on the basis of concept and that is a beautiful thing...not many designers are doing that at all anymore. its all about "young lady going up town to meet grtandma for tea!" that is not a fashion concept that is a bunch of crap which results in a crappy collection that makes me want to gag!!!!!
So thank god we still have Raf and a handful of others who challenge us!! but like any other challenging deisgner you need to make money to float along or you will just drown in the corporate plague of the industry. SO here it is, his take on what he needs to stay afloat. Bless him for holding out for 10 years before doing so!!!!! much respect to him for that!
and about the whole buisness class thing..um of course he is going to fly buisness class...who doesn't when they are traveling for work. where should he sit with the luggage??!!!!!

Amen

Well, kLM, if you do buy it, you'll probably be the only one in the North America to have one! Although you might want to consider going to Antwerp. The lower price and 20% VAT refund on an item like that should cover a round trip ticket.

 

[Arturo21]

Raf has been in the industry for 10 years and in his ten years he has been in forefront of menswear but not on the tip of everyones tounge. He has held on to that position for quite some time. He probably now feels that it is his turn to grab some spotlight. Are you not at all sick of the same names in fashion being constantly talked about. or these young, very young, designers coming out of nowhere and everyone scopping them up like money on the street! He is making and growing his company just like any other deisgner would. The Jill Sander gig is going to propell him into the limelight real fast...so why not a diffusion line...at least he will do it well, i hope. Raf is a designers designer. He creates on the basis of concept and that is a beautiful thing...not many designers are doing that at all anymore. its all about "young lady going up town to meet grtandma for tea!" that is not a fashion concept that is a bunch of crap which results in a crappy collection that makes me want to gag!!!!!
So thank god we still have Raf and a handful of others who challenge us!! but like any other challenging deisgner you need to make money to float along or you will just drown in the corporate plague of the industry. SO here it is, his take on what he needs to stay afloat. Bless him for holding out for 10 years before doing so!!!!! much respect to him for that!
and about the whole buisness class thing..um of course he is going to fly buisness class...who doesn't when they are traveling for work. where should he sit with the luggage??!!!!!

Well said...and from what everybody has said, it's probably not going to be commercial crap (Raf wouldn't do it, but look at Hedi..)

 

[misery-cuts]

Anyone know of any websites you can purchase Raf from like sevennewyork.com? Its impossible to find in the UK outside of London!
Looking forward to seeing his new line!
Many thanks in advance!
T

 

[The Baron]

Anyone know of any websites you can purchase Raf from like sevennewyork.com? Its impossible to find in the UK outside of London!
Looking forward to seeing his new line!
Many thanks in advance!
T

Check out www.brownsfashion.com - they're based in London and they usually have a small selection of Raf Simons items available on the site.

 

[misery-cuts]

Check out www.brownsfashion.com - they're based in London and they usually have a small selection of Raf Simons items available on the site.

Nice one Baron! I always try to check Browns but their selection always tends to be a bit dry to be honest. I wish Dover Street Market would hurry up and get a website!
If anyone knows of anywhere else worldwide it would be very much appreciated!
Many thanks in advance.
T

 

[tricotineacetat]

I will gladly put up some photos of RAF once I have the collection delivered, it should start in late December till February... I can probably post some pictures of showroom samples in some time, I was just hesitating back then since they were so fresh that I thought I´d get legal probelms if somebody found out...

 

[jhaime]

http://www.luisaviaroma.com/ecnew/Collections/VisuProd.aspx?Outlet=False&IsOnDesigner=True&CodStagione=42I&CodStilista=107&CodLinea=02

misery...they sell online...based in Florence I think???

http://www.doverstreetmarket.com/ no?

 

[The Baron]

I love that link to Luisa Via Roma! This is a great site. Of course, the dollar to Euro conversion makes it a little bit pricy for those of us in the U.S., but they have a great selection of designers.

 

[Spacemiu]

Where is boy* ? He should have some pictures of this to share

 

[Scott]

That is my worry. We shall see. For now, the guys at A said that they will have nothing to do with it, and that's a pretty bad indicator, since they seem to be careful about the stores image/aesthetic... I'm sure Seven will jump all over this though...

I find the name quite cheesy. Raf by Raf Simons? WTF? He's intelligent, he could do better...

Anyway, I hope I will eat my words and it will be a wonderful collection all around.

I suppose,he wanted it to appear more authentic,regarding the name of the collection.

However,I'm with you all the way in your reservations about this. Doesn't sound very "Raf" to me. Sounds like Prada trying to trod it's way onto Raf's own territory. Not liking the sound of this at all. First a picture of the ever-so elusive wunderkind(when god know's everybody vied for his picture the last decade)now a secondary line-a jeans line by all means....I'm not feeling good about this at all. But like you,I hope those reservations are layed to rest.

nqth*,but the scents Chalayan and Bless did are only limited editions sold at only Colette....they're not being marketed to sell across the globe. I'd truly hate to see Raf go that route. It'll be like another V&R disaster.

 

[davidwest]

Raf

Went into a store today (in cape town) and couldn't believe my eyes to see the new RAF by raf simons line hanging there!

My friends and i went totally ballistic and bought a good few items. My feeling about the line is that it is low on compromise, good quality fabrics generally, and the quality is fairly good. I really like the line, mostly cos it is very well priced, and has the kind of pieces that i really wear a lot of and need fresh ones each season at a fair price.

I'll take pics tonight and post them ASAP. I don't know how we managed to get this stuff, I don;t think its available abroad yet? Anyone know?

Nice colours actually, but i stuck to the classic Raf palette of black grey and white.

 

[tricotineacetat]

David, I am actually very surprised to hear that you already purchased something from the collection, I just called my agent and he confirmed me the delivery dates for all retailers worldwide as January/February... I am very curious to see your pictures to see what´s been delivered, please post them once you have any.

 

[davidwest]

hey, i was even more surprised, OK. This is africa! Um, no, I think the store is selling the samples or something,they sell loads of designer stuff, he says he's an agent for the label in Italy and this store is his South African outlet, he showed me the order book. Anyway, he somehow has the collection(samples or no), and i like it alot. I'll put the pics up asap.

 

[faust]

/\ Cool. I would also like to see them.