Raf Simons’ Corpo Project, 1991

Before establishing himself as one of the leading figures in contemporary fashion, notably as Creative Director of Christian Dior, Raf Simons studied industrial design at SHIVKV in Genk, Belgium. From his earliest explorations, he developed an interest in forms, materials, and the relationships between the human body and the objects surrounding it.

In June 1991, he presented Corpo, meaning “body” in Italian, as his graduation project. This series of seven pieces of furniture explores the connections between anatomy, furniture, and clothing, already foreshadowing the close relationship he would later establish between design and fashion. This sensibility was notably shaped by a formative internship with Belgian fashion designer Walter Van Beirendonck during his studies, which helped awaken his interest in the world of fashion.

Each piece stands on long steel legs, reminiscent of those of a mannequin, supporting shelves made of glass, wood, or leather. The upper section is dressed in a garment made from a variety of materials and textures: leather, chainmail, metal chains, or even snakeskin, sometimes fashioned like a corset. These coverings can be opened and closed, revealing or concealing the interior of the furniture. Through this interplay between surface and interiority, Raf Simons introduces a sensual, almost intimate dimension to furniture, where the act of undressing becomes an essential part of the object itself.
Each of the seven pieces bears a name that gives it a distinct identity: Butcher, Burma, Corset, Male Accessory, Wire Netting, Chain et Snake. Much like a ready-to-wear collection, the series forms a coherent body of work, conceived as a succession of silhouettes. Each piece of furniture embodies a unique reflection on the body, its anatomy, what protects it, and what reveals it. Skin, clothing, adornment, and ornament thus become central themes, explored through furniture rather than directly on the human body.
Of the seven original pieces, only five have been located to date. Raf Simons entrusted them to the father of Belgian designer, who has been their custodian since 2010. They were notably exhibited at the MoMu in Antwerp in August 2025, as part of the exhibition Fashion & Interiors: A Gendered Affair. These are the five pieces that Pulp Galerie presents today.
With Corpo, Raf Simons moves beyond the traditional functions of furniture, transforming it into a true anthropomorphic study. Each piece becomes a body in its own right: a dressed silhouette with a personality of its own. This approach, combining structure, material, and identity, foreshadows a creative vision that the designer would continue to develop throughout his career, at the intersection of design and fashion.

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