For its Winter 2014/2015 issue, Berlin-based magazine 032c celebrates the illustrious career of Raf Simons with a retrospective look at the designer’s work from 1995 to present.
In addition to showcasing some of his most iconic pieces, the issue also includes an in-depth interview with the Belgian-born designer written by Pierre Alexandre de Looz. In the piece, Simons candidly discusses everything from the impact of web media, the current state of fashion, and his own issues with patience.
Take a look below to read some of the highlights from the Q&A segment. 032c’s retrospective issue is available in three different covers; one of which is a limited-edition Raf Simons cover available here.
Internet media has really changed the way we pay attention to clothes. Is the constant Tumblr of images and cultures a threat, or is it an opportunity?
"I’m not so interested myself, but I am interested that other people are interested. I have a huge disinterest in technologies that accelerate cultural speed. Immediately, they make me uncomfortable. When I think about the speed images are consumed on Tumblr it’s already not my thing. The way communication goes over the Internet is not my thing. I can’t be positive or negative about it. But I’m fascinated by what society is becoming, and its evolution. I am watching the behavior more than the thing itself. I am not going on Tumblr to see what is going on. Not in my interest. I am more interested in mystique and romance, what’s difficult to find, aesthetics that are not in your face. When I think about images, naturally I am more attracted when I feel there is certain meaning, when someone is trying to say something. You have to investigate. You are prompted to investigate and understand, more than merely consuming the image. It’s how you judge looking at everything you see. There are things you immediately know are surface, and other things the opposite, and I’m more interested in the opposite. When you find everything so easily, you don’t look deeply anymore and you don’t investigate anymore. And you get bored."
Tell me about how fashion is completely fucked right now.
"I keep wondering how far it can be stretched. In a way I don’t want to judge things, but I have the feeling that lately, other designers in my situation dealing with the same pressure, slowly but surely are starting to talk to each other. The nature of fashion is to not connect because we’re all in competition. But I have the feeling something is changing. I wouldn’t say we’re taking care of each other. But we’re opening up to each other, which, after 20 years, is unprecedented. It’s proof of a serious fear, in all kinds of ways, about where the fashion world is evolving. It’s us discussing together for the simple reason that it’s only us who feel what it is: spitting out creation and emotion and connecting to a huge professional structure."
[via Style.com]
