Future Grails: The Raf Simons Prospects
When defining the term ‘Grail’ it’s almost self-explanatory: a close to unobtainable object one wishes to get their hands on. Raf Simons is no stranger to front-running at the top of people’s grail lists, and many of his recent seasons show no change in that long running pace. Raf’s minimalistic, yet eye catching and interesting designs have made it no mystery as to why fashion enthusiasts alike have coveted (and continue to covet) Mr. Simons’ collections. Below we have selected a few pieces from Raf's most recent work that we for see becoming "grail" level in the coming years.
Raf Simons S/S 18 Umbrellas & Lanterns
Simons’ Spring/Summer 2018 show was showcased in Chinatown as an homage to the ambiance of the 1982 Ridley Scott film, Blade Runner, which heavily inspired the season. Alongside the Blade Runner inspiration, the pieces from this show revisit the famous graphic designs by the esteemed, Peter Saville, that was used in what could be considered Simons’ most famous season, 'Closer'. The clothes themselves are, without a doubt, going to be riding people’s grail lists for years to come, but the obscure pieces from the show are what people will be hoping to surface; umbrellas and lanterns. Uniformity is key with Simons and for this show, every single model held one of these umbrellas in their right hand. There’s almost no doubt that these umbrellas won’t be released and are strictly one off. This leads us to believe that they will become popular grails if ever to surface online for sale, the umbrellas with illuminated handles and Closer graphics most likely being the most sought-after ones. Alongside the umbrellas, the hand-held Chinese lanterns which were above the runway and featured, already famous, 'Closer' graphics, are an immediate hit with fans and we will no doubt be keeping an eye out for any that surface online.
Robert Mapplethorpe x Raf Simons Button Ups S/S 17
Controversy hasn’t been something Simons is particularly known for but that didn’t hold him back when conceiving his SS17 season which included the works of the late Robert Mapplethorpe. Mapplethorpe prints have been known for causing extreme controversy, especially during the Cincinnati protests regarding the Contemporary Arts Center exhibit back in 1990. However, this did not phase Simons’ decision and he went on with including the works of Mapplethorpe on the garments. A lot of the pieces from this collection are all very similar in the aspect that they are all very minimal but include print work done on each one but, one piece in particular seems to be catching a lot of eyes lately.
Model, Luka Sabbat, is known for his next level outfits and you can see him showcasing the same runway oversized shirt in his Instagram feed. With the production of SS17 now over, the rarity of this garment, alongside the number people wanting it, will only increase from here on.
Raf Simons Oversized Puffer A/W 2016
If you’re familiar with director David Lynch, you’re probably familiar with the influence his films and shows have had on fashion. A/W 2016-2017 saw the influence Lynch had on Simons when he debuted his collection inspired by youth culture and a show written and directed by Lynch, Twin Peaks. From this season derives massive puffer coats in multiple different colorways. One color in particular though features a sleek, and almost metallic looking, purple that contrasts nicely with the other bright and vibrant colors shown on the runway. A piece of this nature carries a high retail price and that leads to them being sparsely purchased, to begin with so it’s without a doubt a very limited piece, to begin with indeed, and down the road, this will rival the rarity and hype of that of the ‘Closer’ season.
Raf Simons Lab Coat A/W 15
Ever wanted to feel like a madman scientist? Look no further than Raf Simons A/W 2015-2016 show. From this season came a very questionable piece, the piece in question being a doodled-on lab coat. This runway featured hand drawn canvas lab coats that are already regarded as a questionable piece today. Make no mistake though, this is a piece that is truly unique as it features drawings by the man Raf Simons himself alongside his team. Each piece is different in its own way seeing how it’s impossible to completely replicate every inch exactly. One Grailed user, known only as ‘P’, possesses one of the sleeveless iterations that was used for the actual runway and has stated that he is, "in no rush to sell it anytime soon", and it's easy to see why. A piece of this caliber holds limitless merit when defining the term, Grail, and we look forward to seeing the next grail that Raf Simons has to offer.
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