If you're obsessed with fashion that challenges the status quo, you already know about Raf Simons. Celebrated for its cutting-edge designs that blend high-fashion experimentation with streetwear energy, the brand is a go-to for anyone who sees clothing as a form of art.
From innovative silhouettes to bold graphics and a rebellious spirit, Raf Simons offers pieces that are meant to be seen and talked about. If you love that avant-garde approach and are looking to discover similar designers who are pushing fashion forward, here are 18 brands you need to check out right now.
Often called the "Lord of Darkness," Rick Owens delivers a masterclass in dark, edgy luxury. His designs are known for their sculptural silhouettes, unconventional fabrics, and a grunge-meets-goth aesthetic. You’ll find everything from dramatic, elongated coats to his iconic distressed sneakers, all within a muted and moody color palette.
Much like Raf Simons, Owens focuses on avant-garde design, but he pushes deeper into gothic and dystopian themes. If your style leans towards dramatic, architectural, and powerfully dark statements, Rick Owens is your destination. His work is less streetwear, more wearable sculpture.
Shop now at www.rickowens.eu
As one of the original Antwerp Six, Ann Demeulemeester brings a poetic, darkly romantic lens to avant-garde fashion. Her collections are a mix of flowing fabrics, layered textures, and a primarily monochrome palette, which echoes the minimalist yet provocative feel of some of Raf Simons' work.
The vibe here is less about aggressive streetwear and more about artful, moody elegance. Ann Demeulemeester is perfect for those who want clothing that feels both rebellious and deeply thoughtful, perfect for crafting a sophisticated, gothic look.
Shop now at www.anndemeulemeester.com
A true master of the avant-garde, Yohji Yamamoto is iconic for his oversized, asymmetric shapes and devotion to the color black. His work is a blend of traditional Japanese aesthetic principles with purely experimental tailoring, resulting in clothes that are both timeless and completely radical.
Like Raf Simons, Yohji pushes boundaries, but with a more poetic and minimalist angle. If you appreciate high-concept design that focuses on drape, form, and impeccable tailoring instead of loud prints, his collections are a must-see.
Shop now at www.yohji.com
A protegé of Comme des Garçons' own Rei Kawakubo, Junya Watanabe is a wizard of textiles and deconstructed design. He’s celebrated for taking classic, utilitarian garments - like trench coats and work jackets - and completely reimagining them with innovative fabrics and patchworking.
His collections are a perfect marriage of the avant-garde and the functional. This aligns with Raf Simons' knack for blending rebellious ideas with wearable streetwear silhouettes, making Watanabe a top choice for anyone who loves technically brilliant, deconstructed fashion.
Shop now at doverstreetmarket.com
Anonymity and deconstruction are at the heart of Maison Margiela. Famous for its highly conceptual and experimental approach, the brand takes fashion apart and puts it back together in genius new ways. From using unconventional materials to signature details like visible stitching and the iconic Tabi boots, Margiela is pure fashion-as-art.
While sharing Raf Simons' love for concept, Margiela often pushes the idea further into Dadaist and Surrealist territory. It's a brand for true fashion intellectuals who love reinterpreted classics and aren't afraid of a serious style challenge.
Shop now at www.maisonmargiela.com
British designer Craig Green is celebrated for his powerfully sculptural menswear that explores themes of utility, uniform, and protection. His work is almost architectural, featuring layered, oversized designs and mind-bending fabric manipulation that feels both emotional and highly cerebral.
The experimental spirit here is very similar to Raf Simons, especially in its runway impact. Go to Craig Green for pieces that function as wearable art, carrying conceptual or even political weight in their very threads.
Shop now at www.craig-green.com
Damir Doma offers a more serene take on avant-garde, blending dark romanticism with a clean, minimalist sensibility. You'll find beautifully draped fabrics, muted earth tones, and softly layered silhouettes that feel moody and contemplative.
He shares an understated yet provocative vision with Raf Simons, making his designs perfect for those who like their experimental fashion with a touch of fluid, refined elegance. It’s less about sharp edges and more about thoughtful, flowing shapes.
Shop now at damirdoma.com
Hood By Air (HBA) is the disruptive streetwear force that redefined the high-fashion landscape. Known for its bold, provocative designs rooted deeply in urban and queer culture, HBA played with deconstruction, experimental logo usage, and gender fluidity long before they were mainstream trends.
Like Raf Simons, HBA isn't afraid to be loud and rebellious. It channels the same energy of youth culture and pushes fashion norms into entirely new spaces, making it a key player for anyone interested in statement-making, culturally resonant streetwear.
Shop now at hoodbyair.world
Designed by Vejas Kruszewski, this brand creates highly conceptual, gender-fluid fashion with a focus on radical silhouettes and repurposed textiles. Winning the LVMH special prize at only 19, his designs challenge traditional notions of form and construction with a raw, almost futuristic aesthetic.
This brand is for the true fashion experimenter. Paralleling Raf Simons’ artistic approach to design, Vejas offers unique, boundary-pushing pieces that feel both intellectual and deeply personal.
Shop now at vejas-kr.com
Paco Rabanne (now just Rabanne) is the original futurist, iconic for its groundbreaking use of unconventional materials like chainmail, metal, and plastic. While the modern iteration under Julien Dossena is much more wearable, the DNA of boundary-pushing design remains.
Though more glamorous and disco-ready than Raf Simons' work, Rabanne's avant-garde ethos and art-meets-fashion spirit align perfectly. This is your brand for show-stopping, light-catching statement pieces that are guaranteed to turn heads.
Shop now at www.pacorabanne.com
Acronym is the undisputed king of techwear, combining hyper-functional materials with futuristic, wildly innovative designs. Helmed by Errolson Hugh, the brand's jackets and pants feature hidden pockets, magnetic closures, and articulated joints that allow for maximum movement.
Its complex, cyberpunk aesthetic feels like it was designed for a sci-fi blockbuster. While the look is more utilitarian, the experimental spirit and obsessive attention to construction will appeal to fans of Raf Simons who crave fashion that is as intelligent as it is stylish.
Shop now at acrnm.com
Under the direction of Glenn Martens, Y/Project is a master of versatility and deconstruction. The designs are characterized by their innovative silhouettes, extreme asymmetry, and convertible elements - like jeans with button-on legs or jackets that twist around the body. It’s all about creating pieces that the wearer can interpret and style in multiple ways.
Y/Project shares Raf Simons' boundary-breaking ethos, but with a more playful and historically-influenced twist. If you love fashion that is daring, versatile, and a bit mind-bending, start here.
Shop now at www.yproject.fr
Led by the legendary Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons is more of an art movement than a fashion brand. CDG is the source code for modern avant-garde, famous for deconstructing clothing, questioning beauty standards, and creating radical silhouettes that often ignore the human form entirely.
Like Raf Simons, CdG is fundamentally about expression and challenging what clothing can be. While Raf's work often ties back to youth culture and wearability, CdG pushes further into pure, abstract design. It’s essential for anyone serious about avant-garde fashion.
Shop now at www.comme-des-garcons.com
Under the creative direction of Jonathan Anderson, Loewe has become a whimsical wonderland of surrealist, artistic fashion. While the Spanish house is built on a foundation of incredible leather craftsmanship, its ready-to-wear collections are full of avant-garde surprises - think pixelated prints, balloon-shaped accessories, and wildly sculptural silhouettes.
It's maybe more playful than Raf Simons' often serious tone, but the shared love for pushing creative boundaries and creating truly memorable pieces is undeniable. Loewe is a great entry point for high-concept fashion that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Shop now at www.loewe.com
This Chinese label brilliantly fuses rebellious streetwear with high-concept, avant-garde design. Sankuanz collections often feature sharp tailoring, bold graphic prints, oversized weapon-like accessories, and a clashing of textures that feels both aggressive and futuristic.
Designer Shangguan Zhe shares Raf Simons’ impulse to disrupt, drawing on disparate inspirations to create a confrontational, high-energy aesthetic. It’s for fashion lovers who gravitate towards futuristic militaria and razor-sharp attitudes.
Shop now at sankuanz.com
Founded by the late Virgil Abloh, Off-White™ fundamentally changed the fashion landscape by merging streetwear, luxury, art, and music. The brand is known for its deconstructed elements, signature quotation marks, bold arrow logo, and a conceptual, tongue-in-cheek approach to design.
Like Raf Simons, Off-White pulls inspiration from contemporary culture to create pieces that feel highly relevant and conversation-starting. It’s the ultimate brand for anyone who loves their avant-garde with a heavy dose of modern, high-impact street style.
Shop now at www.off---white.com
A-Cold-Wall* by Samuel Ross occupies a unique space between utilitywear, brutalist architecture, and high-concept design. Expect technical fabrics, asymmetrical cuts, an industrial color palette, and a focus on form and function. It’s a cerebral exploration of British class structures and cityscapes through clothing.
This experimental approach to materials and social commentary channels a similar intellectual energy to Raf Simons. Visit A-Cold-Wall* for futuristic, conceptual fashion that feels both artistic and utilitarian.
Shop now at a-cold-wall.com
London-based Martine Rose finds her inspiration in niche subcultures and communities, from rave to climbing. She’s famed for her slightly "off" proportions, gender-fluid designs, richly textured fabrics, and an authentically rebellious take on menswear staples. She has a way of making the knowingly awkward look incredibly cool.
Her approach mirrors Raf Simons’ obsession with youth subcultures and finding style in unexpected places. She redefines and challenges classic fashion norms with an insider's clever wit, making her one of the most exciting designers today.
Shop now at martine-rose.com
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