The Rule of Three: Raf Simons, Matthew Williams, and Kim Jones Take Over Womenswear

The rule of three is a writing principle that suggests a trio of events or characters are more humorous, satisfying, or striking than any other set of numbers. It is nearly impossible to miss the presence of this prominent structure in all types of narratives: The Three Musketeers, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, veni, vidi, vici, and the number of mean girl clique members in almost all high school dramas.

In 2020, luxury fashion saw its own “rule of three” moment: Raf Simons was appointed co-creative director at Prada womenswear, Matthew Williams became creative director of Givenchy womenswear, and Kim Jones took over Fendi womenswear.

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Three Menswear Icons, Three Luxury Houses

Over the past eight months, three new creative directors were appointed to serve three of luxury’s biggest labels: Raf Simons for Prada, Matthew Williams for Givenchy, and Kim Jones for Fendi. Could this be fashion folklore’s way of foreshadowing?

If so, the timing of the hires and the backgrounds of the designers would be mutually exclusive. We have three menswear household names designing for womenswear, all likely to debut their collections in 2021. These names have been synonymous with initiating the high-end streetwear culture, dressing a niche crowd of rappers and fashion it boys.

From Streetwear to Womenswear

The appointment of Raf Simons, Matthew Williams, and Kim Jones to lead womenswear collections signals more than just a change in leadership — it points to the growing impact of menswear designers on womenswear. The high-end streetwear aesthetic that shaped the last decade is now poised to influence luxury’s most traditionally feminine categories?

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The question remains: How does this reflect on the future of womenswear on a larger scale? Will Prada, Givenchy, and Fendi embrace streetwear’s codes, or will these menswear legends adapt themselves to traditional femininity?