Raf Simons Is O.L.D.

Raf Simons is a household name in fashion. Deemed our lord and savior, there is no way Raf is not gassed beyond belief. He has led his own fashion line, as well as Christian Dior, and Calvin Klein, all to critical acclaim. I love him too; his style is mature, sexy, and well tailored. For every Raf Simons though, we have a sad little sucker like Vetements. Led by Demna Gvasalia, this off the wall ironic high fashion brand is almost notoriously and universally hated. Demna Gvasalia is no pushover though. He has worked at many big fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Maison Margiela, and Balenciaga. Doing a comparison of these two designers should be easy then right, how can a successful solidified designer like Raf get outdone by a newbie who can’t even harbor the success of his own brand?

Demna Gvasalia Raf Simons

Comparing their latest season’s work, specifically from their main label collections, Damna Gvasalia absolutely dicks on Raf Simons and takes his spot as the more talented designer.

Raf Simons was leading the ready to wear department at Calvin Klein during the first half of 2019. He quit 8 months before his contract expired, giving him a full 8 months to focus entirely on his own independent collection for the fall winter 2019 season. This means no other distractions, just straight work.

Calvin Klein Spring Summer 2019

I don’t know what he was doing for those 8 months though, because he sure as hell wasn’t working on his collection. Raf Simons fall winter 2019 sucked ass. I repeat Raf Simons fall winter 2019 sucked ass.

The clothes and the runway show were both equally bad. Raf held the show in the ballroom of the Shangri-la hotel. What a pretentious ass place to have your show. Raf Simons prides himself on being mature and chic, but this was just overkill. Raf chose to have Joy Division play a live set for the show as well, as he has collaborated and followed the band for years. Joy division is hot garbage. I don’t know how the people at the show put up with their shitty punk rock set, because watching it back the music was atrocious. The lead singer could not get the words to the song out of his mouth. He sounded like he was getting the best head of his life on stage.

The clothes were nothing but disappointing too. Raf Simons did not even have to put up with the shit from Calvin Klein, he could have all his energy thrown right into his own brand. Why did this collection seem so lackluster then? It is easy to see his vision in the work though. He made it very clear he wanted every model walking down the runway in a goofy ass hat, a grey trench coat, and clown shoes.

Raf Simon Fall Winter 2020

These hats are so fucking stupid. Every single last model had one on too. They came down the runway looking like toad with a snapback on. I am at an absolute loss for words for what he was going for.

People stay gassing Raf though. The collection came out to critical acclaim. People complimented the maturity and tailoring of the collection. Anyone who says this collection is well executed has Raf Simons’ tiny old limp dick up their ass. Every model came down the runway in the same fit, and there was absolutely nothing revolutionary or new that came out of this.

I bet Demna Gvasalia is reading this with a big fat smile ear to ear right now.

And don’t worry boss let me gas you up real quick.

Vetements 2014

Vetements is not shit. Everyone loved when it came out because of its ironic nature. While I respect what they did initially it wasn’t cool. Having poorly tailored clothes and models going down the runway in sweatpants set the fashion world ablaze. High fashion heads could not believe their eyes when they saw Vetements initial collections.

Vetements quickly transitioned from their “fashion insider” humorous banter, to more experimental high fashion streetwear. Every collection became more and more provocative and in turn now Vetements is cool. All those high fashion goobers who were gassing Vetements clearly can’t hang because they all dipped and started hating.

Vetements spring summer collection is a perfect example of this.

Vetements Spring Summer 2020

These cheeky motherfuckers held their fashion show in a McDonalds. They had models running down the runway with whole ass 20 piece nugget meals with a side of fries and a drink. That’s cool.

The clothes did their part too. The new industrial feel and deconstructed nature carried the collection. They had their fashion house staples with thigh high boots, and well tailored printed tees.

Vetements used the iconography of advertising for their work very well by collaborating with brands such as Bose, Microsoft, and Heineken for well executed looks. This Vetements collection also had the diversity that Raf Simons lacked. Models walked down the runway in everything from flip flops to over designed military boots.

The looks from the Vetements runway are crazy, and I do not think fashion insiders realize this, or they do and they think it’s just absolutely stupid. Every piece from the collection individually sits well and looks good. Vetements throws their models out in their over the top fits on purpose to make fun of high fashion normalities. Having well styled and fitting clothes is not their style, and they get ridiculed for this even though it’s intentional.

They really got you huh. If you make fun of Vetements for this you're a schmingis.

Balenciaga Spring Summer 2020

Vetements has better fashion identity than Raf Simons, and they take more and better risks. Demna Gvasalia did not even only run Vetements. While he was designing his own collection, he was also producing iconic looks for Balenciaga too. Tell me why he was able to produce two well executed and designed lines, while Raf can’t even do one, man’s washed.

Vetements had a more interesting and engaging line compared to Raf as well. The location and style of the show was more provocative and exciting. I hope fashion moves more towards McDonalds than Shangri-la, because old french ballrooms are overplayed. Any designer can create a collection of well fitted chic clothes, so I wanted to see Raf Simons go out of his comfort zone and buy a big mac. If this is all he has for us though I don’t think he will be around for much longer (in fashion, not in life, I hope he doesn’t die).

Einstein the thinker

Demna Gvasalia worked smarter and produced a better collection. To name him the better designer now might be an overstatement, but im excited to see what he produces in the time to come.

High Fashion is changing a lot, and people are not very happy with it. Staples in the game like Raf Simons are doddering now and no one wants to admit it.

Damna Gvasalia made fun of the fashion world and paid the price. Fuck all the high fashion heads though, As he will always have a home here at Perime.

I love you Demna

Sam