Raf Simons is Secondary

In the humble tradition of K by Karl Lagerfeld and Marc by Marc Jacobs, Raf Simons (of Jil Sander fame) has introduced a secondary line named... RAF by Raf Simons.

In an interview with Dazed and Confused, Simons explains his desire to create a second line.

The urge stems from Raf's feeling of disconnection, both from the youth culture that's inspired him (like Hedi Slimane), and from an industry that requires his designs meet other people's expectations.

But despite the fact that RAF is technically a diffusion line, Simons is quick to point out that lower prices don't indicate lower standards:

"I don't want to be ruined, like other people have been, by their second lines. You can get to a point where the whole image is lost, and it becomes so tacky that it damages the whole brand."

Judging from his F/W 07 collection, Simons shouldn't be concerned. His RAF pants could be the Hedi Slimane suits of the future - chic girls everywhere might be vying to get into a pair of his graphic jeans.

--ALLIE MERRIAM