PARIS, Jan 31, 2005/ FW --- It’s always a joy seeing the Raf Simons show. His modernistic approach and vision is so reminiscent of Helmut Lang, yet it is entirely his own and can only be called the Raf Simons look.

So, if the rumors going around Paris that Raf Simons is the only name on the short list to replace Helmut Lang who vacated his post recently from his eponymous fashion house, no one will be disappointed.

Raf Simon’s Spring 2005 shown last July and his Fall 2005 collection presented last Saturday night at the La Villette at the Cite des Sciences et de L’Industrie at the 19th arrondisment can be likened to beautiful and harmonic symphonies that can only be created by a maestro.

This season, Raf Simons alternated between his signature pencil-cut pants to the baggy pleated pants, showing masterful tailoring skills and an ability shift his silhouettes on demand.

Snug fitting shirts and knit sweaters, together with square-shouldered jackets and coats make more than a fashion statement for the Belgian designer. It is a reiteration of his innovations and visions.

Choosing once again a very somber color palette of black and white, softened by khaki, beige and charcoal gray, Raf Simons followed a drumbeat of his own, buckling the color-inspired collections that came out in Milan and here in Paris.

Yet, the most important thing to note is that this collection also put him as a front runner as the crowned prince of modernistic menswear designs, the title that Helmut Lang held for a long time until this month when the Austrian-born designer tendered his resignation.

Raf Simons

Raf Simons

Raf Simons

Raf Simons