BY JAY AQUINO

JANUARY 20, 2025

"Oh my god" were the first words that came out of my mouth when I saw Simon Cracker’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection. Though to be fair, I should have not been surprised as they have always been out there. The brand has an avant-garde approach to menswear, and for Fall/Winter 2025 collection, they really pushed everything, offering a visual feast and an entertaining commentary on the fashion industry.

Co-creative directors Simone Botte and Filippo Biraghi were clearly inspired by the high-society luxury of Chanel, Hermes, and Loewe, but they made no effort to follow the rules. In result, they produced a collection that was part whimsical fantasy, part fashion critique. Exaggerated details, like oversized bows, gift-box-inspired elements, and heavy embellishments, mock traditional notions of luxury. The silhouettes embraced contrasts—structured tailoring clashed with deconstructed, fragmented pieces, creating a raw, imperfect aesthetic that seemed to challenge fashion's obsession with perfection. This playful energy encouraged wearers to tap into their inner child, but beneath the fun lurked a rebellious spirit that defied the conventions of traditional menswear.

Some of the best looks included a yellow tweed jacket with glittering accents that screamed "Chanel," but with a playful twist. Tweed is often associated with classic, upper-crust styles, and adding those accents made it both luxurious and whimsical. There were also pom-pom shoes—reminiscent of Loewe’s whimsical designs—that added an unexpected dose of humor to the collection, along with a jacket made from brand tags referencing fashion icons like Vivienne Westwood and Balenciaga, nodding to their contributions to the industry.

Simon Cracker also leaned heavily into sustainability, using upcycled fabrics and even repurposing old Dr. Martens shoes into fresh designs. Rubber, metallics, and synthetic textiles were paired with more delicate materials like silk, challenging traditional ideas of what luxury can look and feel like.

The collection also carried a distinct political undertone. Simon Cracker challenged the fashion industry's excess and elitism, particularly through their Birkin-print bags, which offered a satirical commentary on the obsession with luxury status symbols—especially in light of Walmart’s own Birkin-style bags. It was a bold statement, not just about the overhyped status of Hermes bags, but about the broader consumer culture that drives fashion today.

Simon Cracker’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection was a bold social commentary, with a strong ability to spark conversation. Loud, unapologetic, and controversial, it was exactly what fashion needs today.

IMAGE SOURCE: PAUSE / SIMON CRACKER

IMAGE SOURCE: PAUSE / SIMON CRACKER

IMAGE SOURCE: PAUSE / SIMON CRACKER

Discover the Simon Cracker Fall/Winter 2025 collection here.