This morning, Raf Simons will unveil his long awaited and brand new vision for the house of Calvin Klein. The Belgian born New York transplant is a rule breaker, an innovator, a dreamer and a realist. He is obsessed with the idea of freedom (in every sense of the word, particularly as it applies to freedom for women to wear clothes the way they want to).

Denim bleached by Sterling Ruby in  collaboration with Raf Simons

None of us know what we will see (it has been kept a well-guarded secret). But on the heels of what is undeniably the most anticipated show of the season on the calendar here in New York, I thought I would look back at some of my own personal standouts from his past collections.

Christian Dior Fall 2013 Couture

They represent everything Raf has stood for from the very beginning: his fabulous color sense, his ongoing obsession with construction and precise tailoring, his amazing sense of proportion, his love of modern art (specifically the work of Los Angeles based Sterling Ruby with whom has collaborated for decades), his use of techno fabrics, his respect for the past which is always tempered with his respect for the street, his never ending desire to forge into the future and keep it modern and relevant. As adept with day wear as evening wear, his designs are always elegant yet edgy.

Pre-Fall 2013 Christian Dior

Regardless of the name of the label he is designing for, Raf brings 100% of his soul to the equation and no doubt, this will be very much on view this morning.

– Marilyn Kirschner

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