I Heart Raf: Male Models Explain Why They Love Raf Simons So Much
There are few designers who foster as much hype and genuine admiration as Raf Simons, who has become an untouchable icon in the world of fashion, especially among devotees of menswear. Lucky for New York City—where it’s hard to find anything warm and fuzzy these days—the designer delivered exactly what his fans desired at his first men’s show for his eponymous brand in the Big Apple. On Wednesday night at Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea, models walked in sweaters that reworked the iconic “I Heart New York” logo as well ones that simply read, “I Heart You.” For the 12 brief, breathless minutes they walked Simons’ show, love was in the air. But, why is it that male models love the designer so wholeheartedly? They told us backstage.
1Max Overshiner, Missouri, 18, St. Claire Models
“Raf is sick! He is meticulous with his work, and that produces great fashion.”
2Joel Leon Perreira, 18, Tomorrow Is Another Day
“I don’t really know a lot about fashion, but this show has gotten me excited.”
3Eli Epperson, 18, Request Models
“What I love most about Raf is his shoes. I love the look that I’m wearing for the show.”
4Oscar Scott, 19, Heroes
“He’s very meticulous in everything he does. He makes sure everything is perfect, which is so inspiring.”
5Montell Martin, 21, Select Models
“I love the jackets.”
6Zack Hunt, Detroit, 19, St. Claire Models
“What I love about Raf is that he has a variety of clothes, from suits to like basic t-shirts. Almost everything he makes is comfortable and goes with everything. He has a good symmetry with his clothes.”
7Marc Schulze, 22, VNY
“I love his creativity and the way he looks at certain things.”
8Adrien Lesueur, 20, Fusion
“I like his designs… Raf is cool.”
9Laurens Pouchele, 17, Rebel Management
“The clothes are very cool.”
10Jonas, 22, Tomorrow is another day
Raf… I can’t even begin to say what I love about him. Because the man amazes me every season, is always so special to work with him. And I think that creatively he is maybe the best one who delivered the past 10 years.
