SS06 Raf Simons “Icarus Surgit” MMDCCLIX Laser Cut Tank-top

Raf Simons’ Spring 2006 collection titled “Icarus Surgit” revolves around the Greek myth of Icarus. As the story unfolds, the winged humanoid flys too close to the sun and consequently falls from the sky, drowning in the sea below. The designer focuses on the tale’s distinguishable traits of “airiness, movement and flight”, reinterpreting such through a variety of ambivalent garments. Using laser cutting techniques to execute such tedious feats, Simons’ was able to create grid cut out patterns alongside ancestral motifs.

Coming in an off-white base, this tank-top features laser cut out perforation throughout the body. Cutting out Latin lettering that was previously printed atop the tank, “Aether et Anima” translates to “air and soul” among the Roman numerals “MMDCCLIX”, or the year 2759. Leveraging the technique’s unique distressing attributes, much of the graphic is fragmented yet still legible from afar, making for a highly unique, depth-based illusion when worn. Tagged as a size 46, the sleeveless shirt fits quite oversized at a standard large and is in pristine condition throughout.