Raf Simons, born in 1968 in Neerpelt, Belgium, began his career in industrial design before moving into fashion under the mentorship of Walter Van Beirendonck. He launched his own label in 1995, earning acclaim for menswear that fused youth culture, punk, and post-punk influences, and made his runway debut at Paris Fashion Week in 1997.

Simons has held key roles at Jil Sander, Dior, Calvin Klein, and Prada, while also producing influential collections like Riot, Riot, Riot and shaping the landscape of contemporary menswear. Beyond clothing, he has contributed to art and design through exhibitions, photography collaborations, curated events, and publications, including Raf Simons Redux and Isolated Heroes. Known for his visionary approach, Simons remains a defining figure in fashion, celebrated for combining creativity, rigor, and cultural resonance.