In "The Archive": Raf Simons

Today, Oki-ni launched an amazing new section on their website. Called the "Archive", it's basically a back catalog of product from menswear designers who the founders of Oki-ni look to for inspiration and who inspired them to lauch the site in the first place. Launching this archive of designers' past collections and products, they hope to give customers an opportunity to learn more about the history of the brands they feature.

I think the Archive is awesome and a really excellent idea. Many kids today are so obsessed with trends and having the latest, I don't think they really know what they're wearing or understand why they're even wearing it. Whatever Kanye, Pharell, or another trend-setting celebrity is wearing becomes HUGE and sells out IMMEDIATELY. Kids can go to Opening Ceremony, Oak, Odin, Oki-ni, Colette, etc. and buy all these really cool items just because of the label, but I think it's unfortunate that many of them don't know the history or the story of the name's they're wearing.

Anyway, as a designer, Raf Simons is innovative and fashion forward. At the helm of Jil Sander, he's maintained the fashion house's relevance and revamped the menswear market with his own Raf Simons and Raf by Raf Simons labels. Take a look back into this past:

Milan Fashion Week: Roundup #1

So far, Costume National, Jil Sander, Dolce & Gabbana, Marni, Missoni and Burberry Prorsum have shown their F/W 09 men's collections and I don't quite know what to think. While much of the construction is very sharp, tailoring is strong, and fabrics tend to be heavy yet soft, the colors are dark and muted. While lack of color tends to be characteristic of most fall/winter collections, one can't help but notice the sartorial reflection of our economic plight. However, as Raf Simons said yesterday of his collection for Jil Sander, "I wanted to present something powerful." And maybe that's the reason Marni's collection, however meager it may have been (their few pieces could only warrant a showroom presention in place of a runway show), appealed to me the most: it inspired. The colors and patterns at Missoni also made my eyes perk up amid a slideshow of blacks and greys, but what else does one expect? If looking at a Missoni collection doesn't feel like one is looking into a kaleidoscope then something's wrong.

Marni

Burberry Prorsum

Missoni

Burberry Prorsum

It's a Material World

Finally, some Raf we can all afford!

Belgian designer Raf Simons, best known for his work as creative director at Jil Sander, is now collaborating with backpack company Eastpak and incorporating his love for exaggerated proportions and linear silhouettes into totes, messenger bags, caryalls, and backpaks. S/S 09 marks the second season of their Material World collection. The line ranges from $208-$506 and should be available at Barneys in NYC, Dover Street Market in London, and Colette in Paris. While these backpacks aren't necessarily the cheapest Eastpaks you've ever come across, they are the cheapest Raf by Raf items you can find and they're definately worth it. I'm saving up for mine right now and I suggest you do the same!