Raf Simons exits Calvin Klein

Raf Simons’ time at Calvin Klein has come to an end, as it was announced last night the Belgian designer would be leaving his position as the brand’s chief creative director. As with his own label, the designer drew inspiration from youth culture and radically subverted American archetypes with each subsequent offering. Exploring the dark side of the USA, during his tenure Simons referenced the space race of the 1950s and 60s, cult horror movies including Carrre, Psycho, and Friday the 13th, and, most recently, Steven Spielberg’s 1975 cult classic JAWS. He also reinvigorated the label’s denim and underwear lines with an ongoing partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation, and teamed up with long-time collaborator, photographer Willy Vanderperre, to create campaigns featuring the likes of Millie Bobby Brown, A$AP Rocky, and the entire Kardashian-Jenner clan.

While Simons’ work at Calvin Klein won him rave reviews from the industry, his work had less of an impact commercially. Following his departure, the label will pull back on its high-fashion output and focus on targeting a more mainstream audience.

You’ll be missed Raf!