PARIS, Jul 6, 2004/ FW/ --- Raf Simons who won the 100,000 euros grand prize for the Swiss Textiles Award held at Lucerne, Switzerland proved that he was worth every penny with his individualism-inspired collection shown at the Paris Geodé last Saturday.

Buckling the current “color” trend that has been gripping the menswear runways from Milan to Paris, the Belgian designer chose neutrals – white, black and gray as his main color palette.

Sticking to his signature pencil-slim silhouette and hyper-modern almost futuristic designs, with an escalator serving as the runway, Raf Simons proved that he is not only a fashion architect, but that he is also a master of illusion by providing a perfect setting for his unique collection.

Simon’s grey suit has a cross-panel crouch for modern flavor. In line with one of the big trends from Paris runways for next year are suits with pencil-thin legs. Two of Simon’s suits appear to have detachable arms. He also did jumpsuits in white and black, also in perfect harmony with numerous other popular designers for next year.

His white suit with cotton pants looks like you can go from horseback riding to the Sunday picnic. The waist cropped denim jacket is an easy hit for retailers.

Simons also did a leather jacket with a nearly dramatic, double butterfly lapels in grey. His neckties are razor thin. Simons also did a white waist cropped parka with double butterfly lapels.

A different feel came about in the form a well thought-out, and well-cut double-breasted blazer in light beige. It could be worn easily with most pants including Simon’s own leather riding jeans. His jeans have low waist.

The baggy pants of the 1980s (just think MC Hammer) present in the collection provided an element of contrast to the other pencil-thin pants in the collection as well as to other collections from the season.

A most original piece is his white jacket with an extremely large collar that turns into hood. It’s very innovative and looks to be some lost part of a very fashionable space suit.

On the thin, pencil legged pants, there is a lot of detailing around the knees such as needlework, panel of leather, etc. Simons chose to finish the collection with a series of trapeze looking pants they could be very sexy on the right body.

Raf Simons

Raf Simons

Raf Simons

Raf Simons