Raf Simons

At this point, describing Raf Simons as one of the most important menswear designers in fashion may come off as a cliché. Yet, the designer has rightfully earned this moniker through his designs, placing himself among the greats. He's your favorite designer's, favorite designer. Raf’s designs are youthful and resonant, with references to music, art, and film quietly stitched throughout his clothing. He's capable of tailoring the perfect pair of trousers or slim suit while designing an oversized jacket or a pair of sneakers that would fit right in the world of Blade Runner.

Originally started back in 1996, the Belgian designer took the world by storm with his youth-inspired clothes and eye-catch tailoring. This uncanny ability to be able to merge his eclectic artistic taste with the young underground has left a lasting impression on menswear as a whole. This refreshing take on fashion has attracted a wide range of collaborators from Dr. Martens to Fred Perry. In the realm of footwear, his collaborative venture with adidas has directly impacted culture. Though sneakers like the Trail Robots and remixed Stan Smiths are all worth a look, Simons' 90s Ozweego is easily his most iconic. The bulky sneaker changed the sneaker landscape, spawning the "chunky shoe wave" that people still can't get enough of today.

These collaborations are some of the most hyped projects in fashion, attracting both adoring fans of the designer and streetwear enthusiast. Almost deconstructive, fashion's provocateur enjoys playing with body proportions in his clothing. Though it can be hard to pin down what to expect from the designer, his clothing is fluid with callbacks to traditional tailoring across the board. You may get an oversized, patchwork wool sweater with elongated loose-fitting arms, a beautifully fitting polo, a roomy 70s inspired workwear shirt, or even a pair of colorful chunky sneakers. Regardless of the medium, his designs have the power to resonate with both fashion insiders and casual fans.