RAF SIMMONS X ROBERT MAPLETHORPE top Spring/Summer 2017ICONIC Raf simmon piece Fascinated by the work of Robert Mapplethorpe, Simons wanted to integrate it in his fashion designs, but he assumed that it would not be possible to collaborate with an institute such as the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Nevertheless, the Foundation were themselves interested in working with Raf Simons. Impressed by the designers collection with Sterling Ruby, they contacted him for a similarly collaborative project.