There’s always a sense of rebellion and tenderness intertwined in a Simon Cracker show — and this season, that spirit feels more personal than ever. Presenting “Punkindness Forever” during his first Milan Women’s Fashion Week as a solo designer, Simon Cracker transforms vulnerability, friendship, and memory into his most intimate capsule yet.
“This collection is a thank you,” Cracker explains, “to my crew — the guys and girls who support us every time, not just physically but with their energy.” After five years as part of a creative duo, this marks a new beginning for the designer. “All experiences, good or bad, come to an end,” he adds, “but they open new doors. What matters is sharing creativity with the world.”
The runway felt like a reunion of sorts — a gathering of real people rather than models, each member of the Cracker family contributing their individuality. “They might look like street-cast models,” Simon smiles, “but they’re part of us — different people, with opposite lives, coming together for one shared moment.”
That sense of unity translates into clothing that feels alive with history. Recycled fabrics, vintage school uniforms torn and reassembled, prints inspired by the 100-lire coins Simon once found in his grandfather’s jacket pockets. “At 13, I wanted to dress like a grown-up,” he recalls, “and those coins became part of my story. Now they’re part of our prints.”
The silhouettes merge contrasts: feminine, crumpled silks meet oversized tailored jackets; terracotta tones bleed into trails of washed color; geometric checks replace traditional tartan in deep navy hues. Salem, the black cat — now a recurring symbol — prowls across shirts and Mary Janes in collaboration with Dr. Martens, becoming the brand’s mischievous mascot.
But beyond clothes, “Punkindness Forever” feels like a statement of purpose. “We go back to speaking through clothes,” Simon says. “We stop shouting. We use the wardrobe to carry our manifestos.”
Founded in 2010, SIMON CRACKER was born from a desire to create a safe space — a refuge from the toxicity of the fashion system. “I wanted a place where people could create freely, without hierarchy, without humiliation,” Cracker reflects. “This brand exists thanks to those who believe in the same values: empathy, creativity, and kindness.”
This season, that message resounds louder than any slogan on a T-shirt: punk isn’t about noise — it’s about truth, courage, and compassion.
